SANDPOINT — What a difference a little rain makes.

Widespread and abundant precipitation combined with cooler temperatures have lowered fire danger across the panhandle of Idaho, prompting federal, state, and tribal land managers to lift all fire restrictions effective immediately, Kary Maddox, U.S. Forest Service pubic information officer, said Thursday.

Among areas included are Idaho Panhandle National Forests, including lands in Washington and Montana administered by the IPNF; and all Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Lands, Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and private forest and range lands in the five northern counties of Idaho. All other private property owners are advised to check with their fire department for any applicable constraints, Maddox said.

"Suppression efforts continue for several fires in the Northern Panhandle, but recent precipitation and decreased temperatures have lowered fire danger and other indices that inform the need for restrictions," she added.

Among those fires is the Silver Fire, where the rains and cooler temperatures are giving firefighters time to strengthen the network of roads, trails and natural features being used to contain the Silver Fire. 

"While daily operations may look similar, crews are steadily completing work that will help keep the fire within the planned containment area," Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8 officials said Thursday.

With continued progress along Upper Pack River Road and Chimney Rock Trail, containment efforts are proceeding northward along the fire's eastern flank. Moving through heavy surface fuels to the east, most of the fire's activity is occurring between Beehive Creek and Chimney Rock Trail. 

Resources will begin masticating — the mulching of forest fuels — and other fuel reduction efforts along Forest Service Road 293, which has been identified as a secondary containment line. 

Also, Northern Rockies officials are planning structure protection efforts southeast of the fire in the event of a more direct fire threat. Crews also continue to scout opportunities to tie in FSR 293 with other containment features.

"Fire managers consider several factors when evaluating containment opportunities, including firefighter and public safety, terrain and access, expected fire behavior, fuel conditions, time constraints and the likelihood that crews can safely and successfully hold the proposed containment line," officials said.  

The cooler weather and rains resulted in minimal fire behavior, although some creeping and smoldering was observed. However, Northern Rockies officials urged caution.

"Rain and cooler temperatures are expected to limit fire activity, but they do not eliminate heat within the fire perimeter," they said. "Heavy fuels can retain heat through wet weather and become active again as conditions dry."

Located in the Upper Pack River drainage near Silver Dollar Peak, the fire has burned 2,545 acres. It is 0% contained. There are 131 personnel assigned to the fire.

The cooler weather also gave helped fire crews fighting the Upper Smith, Parker Lake and Border fires.

Started by lightning on July 8, the Upper Smith Fire has burned 4,788 acres and is now 42% contained. The Parker Lake Fire was sparked by lightning on Aug. 23; it has burned 1,403 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.

The cooler temperatures and rain, expected to last into early next week, should continue to benefit fire crews' efforts, said officials with Northern Idaho Blue Team, which is managing the three fires.

The Upper Smith and Parker Lake fires saw minimal fire activity Thursday, and crews were able to pull equipment and hose lay lines no longer needed for structure protection.

While the cooler weather has helped, Maddox said caution should continue as hunters and recreationists head into the woods.  

"Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure it is cold to the touch before walking away," she said.

Information: InciWeb.wildfire.gov