BONNERS FERRY — Activity on the Upper Smith Fire remains minimal, with most activity seen in the Long Canyon area, Northern Idaho Blue Team officials said Saturday.

Patrols are taking place along the fire's northeastern edge between Smith Creek and Long Canyons, looking for residual heat. Also, crews are working to strengthen handlines to the 2015 Parker Ridge Fire burn footprint.

Blue Team firefighters continued to build a shaded fuel break along Westside Road on Saturday. Also, a dozer was working south of the shaded fuel break, supported by pumps and hoses and firefighters to connect areas around private property with a handline.

"Masticators and road graders will continue improving contingency lines along Smith Creek Road and will move to old forest roads west of the fire in the coming days," officials said.

Fire managers plan to use aviation resources as needed along Parker Ridge to limit fire movement to the west and south.

Located 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry and 6 miles west of Porthill, the fire has burned 3,697 acres, unchanged over the past 24 hours, and is 38% contained.

There are 185 personnel assigned to the fire, including four hand crews, three helicopters, seven engines, six water tenders, four chippers, two ambulances and assorted heavy equipment.

On the Porcupine Fire in Bonner County's Porcupine Creek drainage, cooler temperatures and overcast skies have moderated fire behavior for the past several days. As a result, fire activity is mainly being seen among unburned fuels in the fire's interior.

Fire crews continue to use aerial suppression methods to keep the fire in its current footprint and monitor fire activity with a remote camera, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said on InciWeb, an interagency incident information management site.

Located 7 miles north-northeast of Clark Fork, the Porcupine Fire has burned 110 acres. The fire is 0% contained.

Air support continues to be key in fighting the fire, which is located in an area with steep slopes, cliffs and rocks, preventing direct fireline construction for much of the fire.

Suppression efforts are focused on keeping the fire from crossing over the ridge and establishing on the southeast face, which would increase the threat to nearby homes, property and other at-risk values, IPNF officials said.

Fire danger remains rated as extreme in the region, meaning that fires of all types start quickly and burn intensely, according to local U.S. Forest Service officials.

Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in Bonner and Boundary counties, while Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect in Kootenai, Shoshone and Benewah counties.

Under Stage 1 fire restrictions, campfires and stove use are prohibited except at designated recreation sites, on private property or in approved fire structures. Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, buildings or cleared areas free of flammable materials.

Stage 2 fire restrictions prohibit fires and campfires and smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, or a designated recreation area that is at least 3 feet in diameter and barren or cleared of flammable materials. In addition, "Hoot Owl" restrictions limit chainsaw and machinery operation from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

For more information on fire restrictions, go to bit.ly/45a7eIT. 

Information: InciWeb.wildfire.gov