SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Fire Department announced that it will not be accepting any new burning permits due to a “high” fire danger status issued by the Idaho Department of Lands on July 18.

The National Interagency Fire Center is predicting a severe fire season for Idaho through September following a dry spring season and the hotter than average summer temperatures. While Bonner County has avoided major fires for now, Sandpoint’s Fire Chief, Gavin Gilcrease, said that current conditions leave it vulnerable. 

“There’s not a burn ban in the state, but just out of extra precaution we just shifted over to no more burn permits,” Gilcrease said. “It’s so dry out there and we’ve had some pretty high winds so that was another one of the reasons we decided to go with the suspension.”  

Gilcrease said that the small amount of rain in the area can increase fire danger once dry conditions return by growing “flash fuels” like weeds on the side of the road. 

“All that does is make those flash fuels grow a little bit taller,” Gilcrease said. “Then when they die, they are a little bigger risk than they were four days ago.” 

While Idaho might be headed for an above average wildfire season, the state legislature approved $40 million in funding for the state’s Fire Suppression Deficiency fund, $18 million less than the state spent fighting wildfires last year.  

This announcement comes off the heels of the Clover Fire in Naples which burned 30 acres and multiple properties on its path. The fire reportedly caused millions of dollars in damage and was ignited by a campground worker disposing of fire pit ash, according to Boundary County fire officials. 

Gilcrease said that Sandpoint Fire follows the IDL’s guidance on fire warnings and that once conditions improve, they will begin issuing new burn permits again.