A Rotak heavy-lift Boeing CH-47D Chinook helicopter heads to the China Mountain Fire Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, after picking up a bucketful of water from the Kootenai River near the falls. The fire was listed at four acres.

According to Kootenai National Forest officials, the fire was 80% contained Thursday morning. The cause is from the lightning storm that July 16-17 that delivered hundreds of strikes in the region, resulting in dozens of fires.

Heavy equipment operators and firefighters are working on constructing fire line around the perimeter of the fire utilizing a direct extinguishment strategy. Firefighters are also deploying hose lays to secure the fire perimeter and mop up hotspots.

Personnel and equipment on fire include a dozer, excavator, water tender, 20-person hand crew, along with local district engines and suppression modules.