Friday, October 16, 2026
39.0°F

Crews battle County Line Fire near Worley

KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 1 month AGO
by KAYE THORNBRUGH
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | September 1, 2024 1:09 AM

The County Line Fire, burning about 2 miles northwest of Plummer, was 40% contained as of Saturday night, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.

The fire was first reported to authorities at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.

Authorities said the blaze quickly grew from about 40 acres in size to about 150 acres in the area of Bronco Road and County Line Road, prompting evacuation orders Saturday afternoon that were later rescinded. No structures have been lost to the fire so far and no injuries have been reported.

There is a fire line all the way around the County Line Fire, authorities said Saturday night. Crews are installing hose lays to bring water to the fire edge and are supported by aircraft, which continue to drop water on the hotter parts of the fire.

Most resources that were on the nearby Mowry Fire were pulled to attack the County Line Fire after it began, according to the Idaho Department of Lands, including several fire engines, a water tender, two bulldozers and a crew.

Aircraft working on the fire Saturday included three large air tankers, three single-engine water scoopers and two helicopters.

Tribal, state and county emergency response crews were making "good progress" in the initial efforts to contain the County Line Fire as of Saturday afternoon, according to the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

"A combination of air support, ground suppression and dozer lines have helped to slow the growth of the fire at this time," the Tribe said in a public statement. "Emergency personnel from multiple agencies continue to coordinate efforts to gain operational control of the situation and to extinguish the fire."

County Line Road will remain closed until firefighters can mitigate hazardous trees, which have been weakened by fire.

ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH

Stateline shooter pleads guilty to manslaughter
October 16, 2026 1 a.m.

Stateline shooter pleads guilty to manslaughter

A DoorDash driver who fatally shot a pedestrian during a road rage incident near Stateline Speedway has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, though whether a judge will accept the pretrial settlement offer in the case remains to be seen.

Stateline shooter pleads guilty to manslaughter
October 16, 2026 1:09 a.m.

Stateline shooter pleads guilty to manslaughter

Prosecutors originally charged Edsel Johnson with first-degree murder

A DoorDash driver who fatally shot a pedestrian during a road rage incident near Stateline Speedway has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, though whether a judge will accept the pretrial settlement offer in the case remains to be seen.

Kootenai County history revealed
October 15, 2026 1:08 a.m.

Kootenai County history revealed

Community members get close-up look at time capsule contents

Liz Boutin is no stranger to historical artifacts. A museum professional and fine artist, Boutin said she's handled Egyptian and Greek items that date back to antiquity. But she had a new experience this summer, after local historical preservationists retrieved a 100-year time capsule from inside the outer wall of the old Kootenai County courthouse.