BONNERS FERRY — The Upper Smith Fire has grown to just over 1,000 acres as Northern Rockies firefighters work to bring the lightning-sparked wildfire under control.

Some of the recent growth occurring on the fire's northwest corner is due to firing operations over the past two days. Firing operations by both hand crews and drone systems are being used to burn fuels between the uncontrolled fire edge and the constructed control line on the northwest corner of the fire.

"These tactics are being used to help prevent the fire from crossing Smith Creek," Northern Rockies Team 1 officials said.

There are 448 personnel assigned to the fire, with three helicopters, 13 hand crews, nine engines and assorted heavy equipment assisting.

Fire crews are working to build and improve indirect fire lines by removing and thinning trees, brush and other vegetation along trails and roads in the area to create a fuel break. The goal is to give firefighters room to safely work from while conducting firing operations. Heavy equipment, including feller bunchers, skidgines, masticators, excavators and dozers is being used to complete this work, officials said.

A control line along the fire's western flank between Smith Ridge and Smith Creek remains secure, with crews continuing to reinforce it. If conditions allow, Northern Rockies officials said firefighters hope to use firing operations again Thursday to prevent the fire from crossing Smith Creek.

On the southern ridgeline near the 2022 Long Canyon Fire footprint, crews have finished direct hand-line construction and spent part of Thursday securing the line with hose lays.

Along Upper Smith's east side, crews are using indirect tactics in areas where the heavy fuels and steep terrain limit direct engagement of the fire. Resources are being repositioned along Westside Road from the Parker Creek burn scar to Smith Creek to support and strengthen the shaded fuel break, officials said.

"Firefighters will continue to look for opportunities for indirect contingency lines from Long Canyon Creek to Smith Creek," Northern Rockies Incident Commander Brent Olson said in a press release. "Direct and indirect full suppression tactics continue to be implemented with the focus on protecting critical values at-risk and minimizing firefighter risk exposure."

Located 6 miles west of Porthill and 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry in the Smith Creek drainage of the Kootenai River Valley, the fire is 0% contained. It has burned 1,032 acres since it was sparked by lightning July 8.

On the Turner Fire, located 5 miles south of Copeland, the evacuation status has been lowered to Ready, the lowest of the three levels, according to Boundary County Sheriff Travis Stolley on the department's Facebook page.

Under "Ready" status, residents are advised to have a plan to evacuate if necessary; under "Set" status, residents are advised to begin putting their plan into place. Under "Go" status, residents are advised to leave due to an imminent threat.

The fire has burned 681 acres and is now 82% contained. There are now 195 personnel assigned to the fire, including seven hand crews and 10 engines.

Crews continue to mop up areas along control lines. The process is where engines and crews search for potential hot spots and flames along a fire's edge. They then use water to extinguish the flames and douse the hot spots, using tools to mix the water into the burning material until the fire is extinguished and hot spots are eliminated.

In the coming days, firefighters will continue mop-up operations along the fire's eastern and southern flanks. Northern Rockies officials said crews continue to make consistent progress toward full containment of the Turner Fire.

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. Both personal aircraft and drones are included in the TFRs.

While both the Copeland and Porthill boat launches are open, residents are advised to be on the watch for aerial resources that may need to access the Kootenai River for water drops if water is needed to cool the fire.

Information: inciweb.wildfire.gov

An unmanned aircraft system is pictured as it is used for firing operations on the Upper Smith Fire.

    S Pulaski Type 2 initial attack hand crew works to put in control line on Smith Ridge.