SANDPOINT — An expanded Type 3 management team is on the way to help fight the Silver Fire, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said Saturday.

Actively burning in extremely steep, rocky terrain in the upper Pack River valley, the Silver Fire has burned roughly 2,424 acres.

Torching is occurring, sending spot fires ahead of the main fire and helping spread the fire, officials said.

Due to the rugged terrain, indirect suppression efforts are being drafted, and aircraft are helping to check the spread where there is "high probability of success," according to an update posted on InciWeb, an interagency incident information management site.

The expanded team is expected to take over command of the fire Sunday morning.

Saturday, crews worked to reduce vegetation and other fuels along Pack River Road as well as strengthen containment lines. As officials continue to assess fire movement, firefighters are directly engaging the fire only when conditions allow for safe and effective operations.

Resource protection teams are working to safeguard the Myrtle Creek watershed as well as nearby recreation sites, private land and timber resources.

The Silver Fire is burning in the Selkirk Mountains near Silver Dollar Peak and Chimney Rock in the upper Pack River drainage, approximately 25 miles north of Sandpoint and about 15 miles east-southeast of Priest Lake.

Crews are reducing ladder fuels along Pack River Road and continue to assess fire movement, strengthen confinement lines, and engage directly only when conditions allow for safe and effective operations. Values at risk include the Myrtle Creek watershed, recreation infrastructure, private lands, timber resources, and the safety of nearby communities and first responders.

All roads and trails providing access from the Priest Lake side of the Selkirk Mountains to Chimney Rock, Mount Roothaan, Fault Lake, Hunt Lake and Gunsight Peak are temporarily closed to the public amid the ongoing flames of the Silver Fire.

The closures will remain in effect until fire conditions and suppression efforts are no longer present, officials said.

Firefighting efforts for the Upper Smith and Parker Lake fires are being coordinated by the Northern Idaho Blue Team, which is also now managing the Border Fire.

While the Upper Smith Fire was quiet Friday with limited areas of heat, the Parker Lake fire was active, continuing its growth toward Upper Smith.

"The Parker Lake and Upper Smith fires are expected to merge in the next few days unless a major cooling weather event occurs, IPNF officials said. "Aerial resources will continue to moderate the fires’ progression."

Blue Team officials said the goal is to keep the fire south of Long Canyon Creek and north of Parker Ridge.

Meanwhile, growth on the Border Fire prompted a "substantial" aerial response in an attempt to keep the fire as small as possible.

Blue Team officials said additional resources arrived Friday to help with firefighting efforts on the three fires.

Started by lightning on July 8, the Upper Smith Fire has burned 4,701 acres and is 36% contained. The Parker Lake fire was sparked by lightning on Aug. 23; it has burned 1,309 acres and is 0% contained. Also sparked by lightning, the Border Fire has burned 43acres since it started Aug. 25; it is 0% contained.

There are 145 personnel assigned to the fires, including three hand crews, five engines, three helicopters and four water tenders.

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.

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.

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

    Firefighters gather for a briefing on the Upper Smith Fire as crews continue suppression efforts in rugged North Idaho terrain.