Northside Fire helping at Turner Fire
Bonner County Daily Bee | UPDATED 1 day, 3 hours AGO
Northside Fire crews are pictured helping out at the Turner Fire, five miles south of Copeland.
Photo courtesy USDA FOREST SERVICE
BONNERS FERRY— Saturday, crews completed more accurate mapping of the Turner Fire perimeter, resulting in a change to the fire’s mapped area and acreage.
The fire has burned 681 acres and is 47% contained. There are 224 fire personnel assigned to the fire, including eight hand crews and assorted heavy equipment.
Crews addressed areas of concern, and control line now surrounds the fire’s entire perimeter, Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team officials said
"Smoke is still visible from pockets of unburned vegetation within the fire’s interior," officials said.
Firefighters will continue to reinforce and secure the constructed fire lines, mopping up areas where residual heat remains. “Mop‑up” refers to the process of extinguishing or removing combustible material near the control line to ensure the fire cannot reignite, blow across, or spot beyond the established perimeter.
A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the Turner Fire to protect firefighters and aviation operations. The restriction applies to all aircraft, including personal drones.
"If you fly, we can’t," officials said. "Please also remain clear of aircraft dipping water from nearby water sources. Interference can endanger pilots, firefighters and the public."
Level 2 “Set” evacuation warning remain in place, please follow the Boundary County Sheriff's Office website at boundarysheriff.org/news.
A community meeting is being held at 6 p.m. Monday, July 20, at Mount Hall Elementary gym, 1275 Highway 1. Fire personnel and local officials will be on hand to provide updates on both the Turner and Upper Smith fires.
The Smith Fire has burned 748 acres and is 0% contained. There are 293 personnel assigned to the fire, including eight hand crews and assorted heavy equipment.
Both Smith Creek Road and Long Canyon Trail have been closed to public travel. Closures in the Westside and Kerr Lake road areas, as well as a closure of Riverside Street, are connected to county projects.
Temporary flight restrictions are in effect over both fires to ensure the safety of suppression aircraft.
Info.: inciweb.wildfire.gov