Tuesday, August 25, 2026
52.0°F

Clover Fire is fully contained

CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO
by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | July 16, 2025 1:00 AM

NAPLES — The Clover Fire is 100% contained despite a Monday evening windstorm that blew through the region.

"Control lines established by fire crews on the Clover fire were challenged but held through yesterday's wind event," said Jarel Bruce, public information officer for the Idaho Department of Lands.

Containment was reached about 8 p.m. Monday and followed a decision by the Boundary County Sheriff's Office to rescind all "Ready, Set, Go" evacuation statuses earlier in the evening.

There are currently 55 personnel mopping up hot spots and working toward "controlled" status on the fire, Bruce said. The term "controlled" means a fire is extinguished, while "contained" refers to having firebreaks around it that are strong enough to prevent spread.

IDL officials estimated that the controlled status would be reached by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Fire crews will monitor the fire over the next several weeks to make sure nothing reignites, Bruce said.

The fast-moving fire broke out Sunday afternoon and quickly burned about 30 acres and caused millions of dollars in damage to two logging businesses: UTR Land Management, owned by the Sandelin family, and SGA Cabin & Timber, owned by the Tweet family.

Scorched ground and trees around one of the three Sandelin homes show the fire came within feet of the house before it was extinguished. But intense heat melted parts of the exterior, including the plastic front door, several windows and sections of the roof.

The fire also led to some residents in the Naples area being placed on various levels of the "Ready, Set, Go" evacuation protocols.

The Idaho Department of Lands is asking people to avoid Deep Creek Loop between Schoolhouse Road and Highland Flats Road as fire traffic is still frequent.

Andrew O'Neel, Boundary County public information officer and emergency manager, encouraged area residents to sign up for emergency alerts by texting their ZIP code to 888777.

ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER

Lightning-sparked wildfires burn in area
August 25, 2026 1 a.m.

Lightning-sparked wildfires burn in area

Weekend thunderstorms sparked several new wildfires across North Idaho, including the Parker Lake, Pyramid and Canyon Lake fires. Crews continue work on the 4,442-acre Upper Smith Fire and the Porcupine Fire near Clark Fork as extreme fire danger and regional fire restrictions remain in effect.

Passing the halter to the next generation
August 23, 2026 1 a.m.

Passing the halter to the next generation

Families keep 4-H traditions alive through market animal sale

Bonner County families continue generations-long 4-H livestock traditions as youth exhibitors raise market steers, develop responsibility and showcase their work at the Bonner County Fair's Market Animal Sale.