BONNERS FERRY — Cooler, wetter weather in the coming days should help calm the handful of wildfires burning in Boundary County, Northern Rockies officials said Wednesday.

The cooler weather should provide opportunities for crews to make additional progress on the 2,545-acre Silver Fire. Up to a quarter-inch of rain was reported in areas associated with the fire, with additional rain forecast for Thursday.

Located 14 miles west of Bonners Ferry in the Upper Pack River, the fire was sparked by lightning on Aug. 23. There are 124 personnel assigned to the fire, which is being managed by Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8.

Firefighters continue to establish containment lines on the Silver Fire, with aerial resources dropping water Tuesday on active areas of the fire. Also, isolated torching and burning of interior fuels were observed Tuesday.

Northern Rockies officials said crews are continuing fuel-reduction work along Chimney Rock Trail and Upper Pack River Road, using hand crews and equipment as conditions allow. Work is progressing north as sections are completed.

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, Parker Lake and Border fires, now approaching the end of their 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 4,880 acres and is now 42% contained. The Parker Lake Fire was sparked by lightning on Aug. 23; it has burned 1,429 acres and is 0% contained. Also sparked by lightning, the Border Fire has burned 37 acres since it started Aug. 25; it is 83% contained.

There are 154 personnel assigned to the fire, including three hand crews, six engines, four helicopters and three water tenders.

"There was minimal fire activity yesterday, with some backing and flanking observed on the Upper Smith and Parker Lake fires," said Northern Idaho Blue Team officials, who are managing all three fires. "Weather conditions will limit the use of aerial resources."

While there is still an expectation that the Parker Lake and Upper Smith fires could merge, Blue Team officials said that has not happened. Toward that end, they said crews are working to boost to access to and to protect private and industrial timber grounds to the west, in the event fire compromises Long Canyon Creek.

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 on 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, 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

    Smoke from Parker Lake fire hovers over Long Canyon on Aug. 26.