SANDPOINT — The Silver Fire has quickly grown to more than 2,300 acres since it was sparked by a Sunday lightning strike.

Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said Friday that the fire had exceeded initial attack efforts, prompting a strategic shift toward confining the fire within identified control features.

"Fire behavior continues to be active, with growth influenced by spotting and challenging terrain," IPNF officials said. "With firefighter safety as the top priority, suppression actions are being focused only where the probability of success is high and risk to personnel can be mitigated."

Located in eastern Bonner County on the west side of Priest Lake, the fire is being fought by a Type 3 incident management team. The team took command of the fire Thursday morning and began indirect suppression efforts using the Chimney Rock Trail, Pack River Road and nearby natural barriers to begin containment efforts.

Adding to the fire's early growth were two nearby fires, the Silver Dollar 2 and Middle Silver fires, which also exceeded initial attack efforts and merged with the Silver Fire.

The fire didn't grow significantly until Wednesday when spotting over containment lines increased growth, prompting Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials to pull out a firefighting crew that had been dropped into the area by helicopter.

By Friday, officials said fire behavior continued to intensify, prompting a change in strategy to focus suppression efforts where they were most likely to prove successful and where risk to fire crews could be mitigated.

"Crews will continue to assess fire movement, strengthen confinement lines, and engage directly only when conditions allow for safe and effective operations," officials said.

Efforts continue to protect key areas, including the Myrtle Creek Watershed, recreation infrastructure, private lands, timber resources and the safety of nearby communities and first responders.

The fire grew significantly by Friday morning when it was reported at 1,766 acres, continuing to grow throughout the day, with afternoon totals estimated at 2,325 acres, according to Watch Duty, a nonprofit app dedicated to providing real-time information during natural disasters such as wildfires.

Located 7 miles north-northeast of Clark Fork, the Porcupine Fire has burned 145 acres and remains 0% contained. Suppression efforts and natural barriers are helping limit fire growth, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said.

The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain with limited access, which has focused firefighting efforts toward aviation support and the use of natural barriers to keep the fire within the same footprint.

"Limited growth has occurred on the fire over the past two days," IPNF officials said. "Aviation assets continue to support suppression efforts as tactical opportunities emerge. Suppression efforts remain focused on containing the fire within its existing perimeter."

On the Upper Smith and nearby Parker Lake fires, afternoon winds increased fire activity on the Parker Lake Fire while the Upper Smith Fire stayed relatively quiet with limited pockets of heat.

Fire activity between the two fires is expected to grow, said the Northern Idaho Blue Team, which is managing firefighting efforts.

"The Parker Lake and Upper Smith fires are expected to advance toward each other. Moderate fire behavior and growth are expected over the next several days," officials said.

Aircraft water drops were able to moderate fire behavior in the fire's eastern area as it slowly flanks south toward the Parker Lake Fire. Crews will continue to patrol Westside and Smith Creek roads as fire crews consider additional fuel breaks in the area.

On the nearby Parker Lake Fire, increased winds contributed to active fire movement, with fire officials noting flanking and backing. Aircraft water drops will continue to be used to slow fire spread.

"The goal is to keep the fire east of Long Canyon Creek and west of the Parker Ridge," officials said.

Crews are implementing plans to the west to gain access, with additional resources on order.

Fire danger remains rated as extreme in the region, meaning 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.

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