BONNERS FERRY — Now entering its eighth week, the Upper Smith Fire continues to burn in northern Boundary County.

However, minimal growth has been seen in recent weeks, despite Sunday's storm sparking several additional fires near the Upper Smith Fire.

"The fire is holding at the retardant line on Parker Ridge," Northern Idaho Blue Team officials said.

The three new starts within the Upper Smith's initial attack response area are also being managed by the Northern Idaho Blue Team. Of those fires — the Canyon Lake, Pyramid and Parker Lake fires — none are over 10 acres.

The Canyon Lake Fire is 100% contained at 0.1 acres, while the Pyramid Fire sits at 0.4 acres with a helicopter rappel crew assigned. The crew remains on site and is continuing to mop up and secure containment.

The Parker Lake Fire is estimated at 6 acres and is being fought primarily via aerial resources, with water drops helping keep fire spread in check.

"This site includes multiple geographic hazards including extremely steep, broken ground," officials said. "Due to the high risk and lack of availability to safely extract personnel if needed, there are currently no plans to put firefighters on the ground there."

On the Upper Smith Fire itself, firefighters were flown to Parker Ridge, where they are helping reinforce a retardant fireline via a direct attack along the fire’s southern flank.

"Their boots-on-the-ground work was impactful and productive," officials said.

That success resulted in additional fire personnel being flown to Parker Ridge Tuesday to continue strengthening that key fire line, Blue Team officials said.

Located 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry in the Kootenai River Valley, the fire has burned 4,552 acres. The fire is 36% contained.

There are 114 personnel assigned to the fire, including two hand crews, five engines and three helicopters. In addition, there are four water tenders, an ambulance and assorted heavy equipment.

Reported Sunday morning, the Silver Fire is among a handful of lightning-sparked fires in Boundary County. According to Watch Duty, a nonprofit app dedicated to providing real-time information during natural disasters such as wildfires, the wildfire has burned roughly 250 acres as of early Saturday afternoon.

"Wind, topography and the thick vegetation are challenging suppression efforts," officials said.

Two other lightning-caused fires in the immediate area, the Silver Dollar 2 and Middle Silver fires, exceeded initial attack efforts and have merged with the Silver Fire, according to InciWeb, an interagency incident information management site.

The Silver Fire is burning in rocky terrain on the southeast side of Silver Dollar Peak, near Roman Nose. Fire officials said helicopters have dropped water on the fire, and an inserted fire crew is also working the incident.

Fire activity is increasing, with aerial resources playing a key role in suppression efforts by dropping water on the fire.

A temporary flight restriction over the fire area has been established to protect airspace and prioritize suppression actions.

"Drones are strictly prohibited in TFRs and wildfire areas," officials said on InciWeb. "If you fly, we can't."

In neighboring Bonner County, the Porcupine Fire has burned 130 acres and remains 0% contained. Suppression efforts and natural barriers are helping limit fire growth, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said.

"Deceased winds and slightly lower temperatures have limited fire behavior to creeping, smoldering, and isolated single tree torching," IPNF officials said. "Firefighter suppression actions including strategic aerial water drops have confined the fire to its existing footprint."

Located 7 miles north-northeast of Clark Fork, officials said the fire has been observed creeping through rocky outcroppings and backing toward natural features.

"Fire personnel are on scene daily evaluating options for aviation and ground resources to safely engage the fire where there is a high probability of success," IPNF officials said. "Firefighters and public safety remain top priorities for managing this fire."

Fire danger remains rated 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, 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.

Information: InciWeb.wildfire.gov, idl.idaho.gov/recent-wildfire-alerts

    A view of the Silver Fire, located west of Roman Nose in northern Boundary County. The photo was taken during an aerial attack on Aug. 25.