SANDPOINT — Fire crews saw continued progress in their efforts to contain a series of wildfires across the region.  

Firefighters were able to fully contain the Sage Brush Fire located near Athol on Thursday evening at 47 acres. The Idaho Department of Lands officials requested that the public stay off trails around the fire as crews continue to clean the affected area.  

With rain and cool temperatures in the forecast, firefighters got a boost over the weekend. However, these temperatures aren’t set to stick around, which may complicate containment efforts as heat returns to the area. 

Ulm Creek Fire 

The Ulm Creek Fire grew by 123 acres over the weekend and remains around 10% containment. The IDL said that containment is unlikely to increase due to the fire lines that have been set being far from the fire’s edge, barring substantial precipitation occurring. 

The fire is located on the Idaho and Montana border, east of Shoshone Creek in the Shoshone Mountain Range. The IDL said it was sparked by lightning during the storm that came through the area on Aug 29. 

The cause for the fire’s rapid growth two weeks ago was heavy down and dead wood from a 2006 fire in the same location, the IDL says. There are currently 86 personnel fighting the fire, with ongoing actions focused on finishing the fuel reduction buffer around Gem Prak Warming Hunt and Lookout and finishing road repairs. 

Green Rattle Complex 

The Green Rattle Complex, made up of three fires, received significant rainfall over the weekend, which has helped tame the fires’ growth. The total complex sits at 541 acres, made up of the Green Mountain Fire at 69 acres, Rattle Mountain at 122 acres, Spruce Fire at 350 acres and 0% containment. 

There are 176 personnel, an increase from last week, aiding in the efforts of containing the fires located in the Sandpoint Ranger District. The fires present a challenge to contain thanks to rugged and steep terrain, most of the fire area burning through. All three fires were started because of the lightning in the area, according to the USFS. 

On the Green Mountain Fire, located eight miles west of Clark Fork, crews are focused on construction indirect control along ridgelines, the U.S. Forest Service said in its daily update. All previous road and trail closures remain in effect. 

The Rattle Mountain Fire, located around 13 miles northeast of Clark Fork, saw minimal activity Sunday, which was expected to continue through Monday. The USFS says that crews are widening and reinforcing containment lines to the northeast. 

The Spruce Fire located 12 miles southwest of Troy, Mont., will see crews completing a Fireline along the Spruce Lake Trail. The USFS will be using masticators to advance north to clear and improve indirect containment lines.  

Lightning Creek Fire 

The Lightning Creek Fire is located nine miles north of Clark Fork and remains at 25% containment but only saw 10 acres of growth since last Wednesday. Only five personnel are currently assigned to the fire, a sharp decrease from the 109 that were aiding in the efforts as of last week.  

The fire is expected to continue to creep and smolder to the North and South of the containment lines, with some smoke production coming from the southwest of the fire. Crews are continuing to hold and reinforce control lines along Lightning Creek Road.  

Information: Idaho Department of Lands, idl.idaho.gov.; InciWeb, inciweb.wildfire.gov