BONNERS FERRY — Fire activity remains light and disorganized on the Upper Smith Fire as crews brought containment of the fire up to 45% as it prepared to transition control of the fire to a new incident management team.

Much of the activity of the fire is centered in the Long Canyon area, with smoke over the fire contributing to lighter activity, Northern Rockies Team 1 officials said. The fire continues to back and flank into the 2015 Parker Ridge Fire scar. 

"Although heavy dead and down fuels remain extremely dry and receptive to burning, fire spread has been limited and primarily involves the slow consumption of heavy fuels," Northern Rockies officials said. 

Thursday, crews spent the day patrolling and securing control lines near Long Canyon Creek and monitoring spot fires. Aircraft was being used as needed to check fire progression and cool the fire’s edge. Crews are also patrolling from the western side of the fire through the avalanche chute and east along Smith Creek to keep an eye on the Upper Smith Fire.

Northern Rockies crews cautioned that interior smoke and possible smoke columns will remain visible as unburned heavy fuels continue to smolder and burn on the Upper Smith. 

There are 197 personnel assigned to the fire, including six helicopters, four hand crews, two engines and seven water tenders.

A transition to Northern Rockies Team 9 took place Thursday evening. In nothing Thursdays was his crew's last day on Upper Smith, Team 1 incident commander Brent Olson thanked the community for their support over the past three weeks.

"None of (our work) happens without partnership," Olson said before thanking local law enforcement, emergency responders and their counterparts in Canada, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Idaho Department of Lands.

Temporary flight restrictions are in effect to ensure the safety of suppression aircraft. Both personal aircraft and drones are included in the TFRs.

Both Smith Creek Road and Long Canyon Trail have been closed to public travel. Closures in the Westside and Kerr Lake Road areas, as well as a closure of Riverside Street, are connected to county projects. The Parker Ridge Trail is in the process of being closed due to its access to the bridge construction and its proximity to road prep work related to the Upper Smith Fire.

Other fires in the region include:

• Porcupine Fire — Located two miles east of Porcupine Lake in Bonner County's Porcupine Creek drainage, the fire has burned 25 acres.

Firefighters continue to rely on air support to keep fire growth in check on the fire as steep slopes, cliffs and rocks prevent direct fireline construction. People who live and recreate in the area should remain aware of the fire and the potential for changing conditions. 

Firefighting personnel will be using Porcupine Lake Trail 642 to access the fire area and Porcupine Lake will act as a dip site for air resources, officials said. Residents and recreationists are reminded to exercise caution and yield to firefighting aircraft.

Information: InciWeb.wildfire.gov