County ends emergency declaration

SANDPOINT — A disaster declaration regarding dry and excessive weather conditions ended after county commissioners unanimously agreed that the county was no longer threatened by wildfires.  

Director of Emergency Management Bob Howard made the request during Tuesday’s business meeting, stating that a local disaster emergency no longer existed in Bonner County.  

The original declaration was signed Aug. 14 by Commissioner Asia Williams after several wildfires, most notably Sunset Fire near Sagle, had broken out in Bonner County and surrounding areas due to dry and excessive weather conditions and high winds.  

The Sunset Fire burned 3,183 acres before containment, damaging 28 structures and prompting widespread evacuations. 

The emergency declaration allowed the county to fund fire protection despite its lack of resources for structure protection. According to Williams, Howard is tasked with reaching out to the commissioners with the request for the declaration so emergency services can effectively move through the county. The declaration also addresses how the county receives funding related to the declaration.  

Once the emergency is gone, commissioners are required to end the declaration, revoking the original resolution that was made in August.