Cooler weather slows fire growth

SANDPOINT — Cooler temperatures and a little bit of rain over the weekend helped keep the region's fires in check in Bonner and Boundary counties.

On the Silver Fire, located in the Upper Pack River drainage near Silver Peak, crews continue to reduce fuels near Pack River Road and Chimney Rock Trail, U.S. Forest Service officials said.

"Fire behavior remains minimal, with backing, creeping, and isolated tree torching observed," officials said on InciWeb, an interagency incident information management site.

Fire crews also are working to widen and improve Pack River Road where needed to support firefighting efforts as well as strengthen its use as a potential control feature. USFS officials said crews will continue scouting contingency options and evaluating options along the fire's northern, eastern and southern perimeters.

Crews are working to assess fire movement as well as attack the fire both directly and indirectly, officials said.

The cooler temperatures helped slow activity over the weekend, keeping the Silver Fire to just over 2,424 acres. There are 110 personnel assigned to the fire, which is 0% contained.

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.

Road and trail closures remain in effect in the area. Hunters, hikers, climbers and other recreationists are asked to respect all closures in the upper Pack River area. In addition, an emergency barricade has been placed on Pack River Road at the USFS Road 293 intersection where the Pack River snowmobile parking area is located.

The cooler weather also gave fire crews a chance to boost containment on the Upper Smith Fire, now approaching the end of its second month. It also helped minimize growth on the nearby Parker Lake and Border fires.

Started by lightning on July 8, the Upper Smith Fire has burned 4,701 acres and is now 42% 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 43 acres since it started Aug. 25; it is 0% contained.

"Fire activity was minimized by rainfall Saturday evening into Sunday morning," said Northern Idaho Blue Team officials, who are managing all three fires. "No aerial resources were utilized on Sunday for any of the fires due to inclement weather. Fire activity on all three fires is expected to be minimal. "

While there is still an expectation that the Parker Lake and Upper Smith fires could merge, Blue Team officials said that has not happened. Aerial resources continue to be utilized when and where possible to moderate fire activity.

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.

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