Fire News Feed

#PraterRed2Fire (11 miles NE, Priest River, ID) Firefighters have fully contained the Prater Red 2 fire at 42 acres. The North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team has returned control to the local Idaho Department of Lands fire district as of 7AM this morning. This will be the final update unless fire behavior significantly changes.

All machine created containment lines have been rehabilitated, and all road closures have been lifted. Fire crews will continue to backhaul supplies, monitor, and patrol the burned area. Caution is still advised if traveling in the area especially in the coming months as precipitation increases – fire weakened material my roll down steep slopes into the roadways.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The public is encouraged to call the IDL Fire Investigation Hotline: (208) 666-8659 or the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office (208) 265-5525 with any information they may have about wildland fire starts in Bonner County.

The fire burned exclusively on State of Idaho Endowment lands in heavy logging slash on steep canyon slopes.

With hunting season in full swing, fire managers would like to remind the recreating public that fire conditions are still very dry and windy. Extreme caution is advised with any use of open flames outdoors. Do not leave campfires unattended – completely extinguish with water before leaving camp for any reason.

Please recreate responsibly. Don’t let your Idaho go up in smoke!

Find all IDL fire updates at www.idl.idaho.gov/fire #IDLfireinfo #FireYear2021

Cooperating Agencies: Idaho Dept. of Lands, Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Bonner County Office of Emergency Management, USDA Forest Service- Idaho Panhandle NF. ... See MoreSee Less

#PraterRed2Fire (11 miles NE, Priest River, ID) Overnight temperatures dropped into the mid 40’s however, humidity recoveries were poor and dry windy conditions persist over the region. Fire behavior overnight was minimal with creeping and smoldering within firelines. Fire crews continue to make excellent progress—containment is now 75% and acres remain 42. There are 65 personnel assigned to the fire.

Fire managers employed one of the Idaho Department of Lands unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with infrared cameras to fly over the entirety of the fire, mapping heat signatures. Commitment to firefighter safety remains the top priority and this flight data is crucial in planning firefighting efforts because it informs targeted actions. With the flight data, firefighters can focus efforts to the areas of most concern, increasing both safety and efficiency. Firefighters can “seek and destroy” hot spots reducing the time it takes to control and contain the fire.

Mop up operations, fireline rehabilitation and backhauling of supplies continues today in preparation for return of command back to the local IDL fire district.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The public is encouraged to call the IDL Fire Investigation Hotline: (208) 666-8659 or the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office (208) 265-5525 with any information they may have about wildland fire starts in Bonner County.

The fire is burning exclusively on State of Idaho Endowment lands in heavy logging slash on steep canyon slopes. There are no structures threatened or evacuations in place.

With hunting season in full swing, fire managers would like to remind the recreating public that fire conditions are still very dry and windy. Extreme caution is advised with any use of open flames outdoors. Do not leave campfires unattended – completely extinguish with water before leaving camp for any reason.

Please recreate responsibly. Don’t let your Idaho go up in smoke!
#IDLfireinfo #FireYear2021 ... See MoreSee Less

#PraterRed2Fire (11 miles NE, Priest River, ID) Yesterday fireline and hose lays were completed around the fire’s perimeter. These hoses, along with sprinklers, pumps, and water tanks, will deliver water to the fire directly so that fire crews can begin the arduous task of mopping up hot spots toward the interior of the burn. Mop up standards differ for every fire, but in this case, crews will work to have at least 100 feet from fire edge toward the interior of the burn cold to the touch. The fire remains at 42 acres and is now 50% contained.

Fallers – specialized firefighters trained to cut trees in wildland fire environments – worked to take down fire weakened hazard trees on extremely steep slopes in the Big Creek drainage. Hazard trees present a safety risk for both firefighter (now) and the public (in the future). Heavy equipment completed rehabilitation work on constructed contingency lines and was released from the incident.

Today crews will increase the depth of mop-up around the fire perimeter working toward 100% containment status.

Portions of Big Creek Road (this includes Happy Fork Gap Road) are impacted by this fire and fire personnel are asking the public to stay out of the area. Yesterday’s public traffic was considerably less than days prior – fire managers and crews appreciate all the public’s help in finding alternative routes.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The public is encouraged to call the IDL Fire Investigation Hotline: (208) 666-8659 or the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office (208) 265-5525 with any information they may have about wildland fire starts in Bonner County.

The fire is burning exclusively on State of Idaho Endowment lands in heavy logging slash on steep canyon slopes. There are no structures threatened or evacuations in place.

Fire managers would like to remind the recreating public that fire conditions are still very dry and windy. Extreme caution is advised with any use of open flames outdoors. Do not leave campfires unattended – completely extinguish with water before leaving camp for any reason.

Please recreate responsibly this holiday. Don’t let your Idaho go up in smoke!
#IDLfireinfo #FireYear2021 ... See MoreSee Less

#PraterRed2Fire (11 miles NE Priest River, ID) Fire crews made excellent progress yesterday constructing fireline around the entirety of the fire. The fire is continuing to back down the extremely steep slope into the Big Creek drainage, and firefighters are monitoring this activity – engaging where safe to do so. Due to the nature and location of the burn, heavy equipment is aiding in mopping up the large slash piles. Air resources continue to deliver water where needed. The fire is 42 acres and 25% contained. There are 125 personnel assigned to the fire.

Portions of Big Creek Road (this includes Happy Fork Gap Road) are impacted by this fire and fire personnel are asking the public to stay out of the area. There have been numerous reports of close calls with UTVs and large firefighting equipment. The public is asked to stay clear of the area both for their safety and that of fire crews. Many times, the roads are rough and narrow and firefighting equipment is very large and do not maneuver or slow down quickly.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The public is encouraged to call the IDL Fire Investigation Hotline: (208) 666-8659 or the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office (208) 265-5525 with any information they may have about wildland fire starts in Bonner County.

The fire is burning exclusively on State of Idaho Endowment lands in heavy logging slash on steep canyon slopes. There are no structures threatened or evacuations in place.

Fire managers would like to remind the recreating public that fire conditions are still very dry and with the expected warming trend caution is advised with any use of open flames outdoors. Do not leave campfires unattended – completely extinguish with water before leaving camp for any reason.

Please recreate responsibly this holiday weekend. Don’t let your Idaho go up in smoke!
#IDLfireinfo #FireYear2021 #Together4Idaho ... See MoreSee Less

#PraterRed2Fire Fire managers would like to remind folks out on their ATVs and/or traveling in the area of the fire that heavy equipment can't slow down fast. Not only are there water tenders like these out there, but excavators, dozers, transports, and engines. The roads are rough, narrow, and dusty. Please #RecreateResponsiblyIdaho and away from fire crews working to put out the fire.
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#PraterRed2Fire Evening 9/3/21 and morning 9/4/21 Updates here: www.idl.idaho.gov/prater/
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Command of the #PraterRed2Fire transitioned from the local Idaho Department of Lands initial attack command to the North Idaho Type 3 incident management team yesterday 6 pm. The team will be managing the fire out of the USDA FS Experimental Forest Station located approximately 5 miles from the fire. Proximity to the fire will reduce travel time of fire crews.

The fire is burning in heavy “red” logging slash on a very steep slope. Despite this, hand crews have made excellent progress cutting in handline on this steep and rocky terrain where heavy equipment cannot gain access. Dozer line is being implemented where possible tying together handline and roads to create fuel breaks. Air resources continue to deliver water so that firefighters can directly engage the fire edge. Fire size has been reduced with more precise ground mapping.

The fire is burning exclusively on State of Idaho Endowment lands. There are no structures threatened or evacuations in place. The public is asked to stay clear of the area both for their safety and that of fire crews. Many times, the roads are rough and narrow and firefighting equipment is very large- passing is not possible and turn arounds dangerous. Portions of Big Creek Road (this includes Happy Fork Gap Road) are impacted by this fire and fire personnel are asking the public to stay out of the area.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The public is encouraged to call the IDL Fire Investigation Hotline: (208) 666-8659 or the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office (208) 265-5525 with any information they may have about wildland fire starts in Bonner County.

Fire managers would like to remind the public that fire conditions are still very dry and with the expected warming trend caution is advised with any use of open flames outdoors. Please recreate responsibly this holiday weekend, and don’t let your Idaho go up in smoke!
Location: 11 miles NE Priest River, Idaho
Incident Command: Type 3 North Idaho Incident Management Team, Mike McManus, I.C.
Estimated Size: 42 acres
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel:115
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The #IdlerFire is now 100% contained at 116 acres. Containment describes the percentage of the constructed fireline fire managers feel will stop any future fire spread. Fire crews will continue to locate and destroy any internal hot spots and will be mopping up and patrolling until the fire is declared out.

Yesterday fire managers employed one of the Idaho Department of Lands unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with infrared cameras to fly over the entirety of the fire to map heat signatures. With the flight data, firefighters can target hot spots that sometimes aren’t easily seen with the naked eye during daylight hours.

Today crews will continue mop up operations with the arduous work of cold trailing. Cold training involves firefighters walking grids and testing the soil with their hands to make sure the fire is “dead out.” While using the UAS data to pinpoint locations of spot is helpful, the dirty and hard on-the-ground work remains.

The North Idaho Type 3 Team will be returning command of the fire back to the local IDL fire protection district this morning. The team wishes to thank the Moscow/Pullman and surrounding communities for all their support during this incident.

Please remember over this holiday weekend if you are recreating in the wildlands, conditions continue to be dry even if the temperatures have decreased significantly. Use caution when parking vehicles, ATVs, OHVs on or near grass and brush, and never leave a campfire unattended. Proper extinguishing of campfire- like cold trailing a wildfire- is drown, stir, repeat, feel with your bare hand that no heat remains.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/2/2021, 4:30 PM Pacific
Prater Red 2 Fire

(Priest River, ID) - The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) continues to respond to the #PraterRed2Fire northeast of Priest River, ID.

The fire is now estimated to be 75 acres. No structures are threatened and no evacuations are in place. Portions of the Big Creek road have been closed in the vicinity of the fire for firefighter and public safety.

There are approximately 60 firefighters, 5 engines, 1 bulldozer, and 1 excavator on scene. Multiple helicopters and fire boss aircraft have been used on the fire as well. A fire retardant line has been dropped around the fire and handline is being constructed.

A Type 3 incident management team is planned to take control of the fire tomorrow, 9/3/21. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
Updates to the Prater Red 2 fire can be found at www.idl.idaho.gov/prater/ and all IDL fire updates at www.idl.idaho.gov/fire

#PraterRed2Fire #IDLfireinfo

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CONTACT:
Jonathan Luhnow
208-334-0233, fireinformation@idl.idaho.gov

About IDL Fire: Idaho Department of Lands Fire Management (IDL Fire) in partnership with two Timber Protection Associations and with the support of rural volunteer fire departments and other partners, are responsible for fire suppression and prevention on more than 6 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho. IDL Fire focuses on initial attack with the goal of keeping fires at 10 acres or less. IDL Fire protects and preserves important endowment timber assets that help fund Idaho schools and other beneficiaries, as well as millions of acres of private forestland. ... See MoreSee Less

New Incident - Carlin Flats Fire. Firefighters are at the scene of a 12 acre fire approximately 7 miles southwest of Saint Maries, Idaho in Benewah County. The fire was reported approximately 6 pm yesterday. Aircraft was utilized to slow the fire's spread while a dozer worked to create a fireline. Ground crews remained on scene overnight. Today, aircraft, heavy equipment and ground crews will be working to further secure the fireline. There are currently 3 engines, 1 handcrew, 1 dozer, 2 water tenders and a helicopter on scene. No structures are threatened at this time.

Find all IDL fire updates at www.idl.idaho.gov/fire #IDLFireInfo ... See MoreSee Less

#IdlerFire (Moscow, ID) Once again overnight temperatures dropped into the low 30’s however, humidity recoveries were poor and dry conditions persist over the region. Fire behavior overnight was minimal with creeping and smoldering within firelines. Fire crews have made excellent progress—more than doubling containment to 67%.

As announced yesterday, Idaho Department of Lands fire investigators have concluded the Idler Fire was caused by a structure fire that ignited the surrounding wildlands. The wind driven fire then spread eastward burning an additional structure. Fire crews have been able to stop the progression of the fire limiting the affected area to approximately 116 acres.

Today crews will reinforce and secure containment lines and continue mop up operations.

Fire managers will employ one of the Idaho Department of Lands unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with infrared cameras to fly over the entirety of the fire to map heat signatures this evening. Commitment to firefighter safety remains the top priority and this flight data is crucial in planning firefighting efforts because it allows for targeted actions. With the flight data, firefighters can focus efforts to the areas of most concern, increasing both safety and efficiency.

Fire managers would like to thank Whitman County Fire District 12 for assisting during initial attack of the fire. They were accidentally omitted from yesterday’s release.
#IDLfireinfo #FireYear2021 ... See MoreSee Less

New Incident - Prater Red 2 Fire: Firefighters are at the scene of a 10 acre fire approximately 11 miles northeast of Priest River, Idaho in Bonner County. There are 3 engines, 1 bulldozer, and 1 excavator on scene. More personnel and aircraft support have been ordered. No structures are threatened at this time.

Find all IDL fire updates at www.idl.idaho.gov/fire

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#IdlerFire (Moscow, Idaho) Overnight crews held the fire as temperatures dropped into the low 30’s with good humidity recoveries. Cooler morning temperatures will help firefighters today as they finish installing water delivery equipment, including over 8,000 feet of hose to reinforce the fireline and mop up toward the interior of the burn. Air resources will be available to drop water on hot spots as needed. Progress toward containment remains strong as the fire footprint has remained constant for over 24 hours. More precise mapping has reduced the acreage of the fire to 116 acres.

The Latah County Sheriff has rescinded evacuation orders and homeowners are being allowed to return to their properties but should be “Ready” to leave if conditions change. Fire crews are still working in this area- smoke will be visible and the public is asked to use extreme caution when driving in the area as fire equipment and personnel will be on the roads. For this fire, managers have determined 100% mop up will be achieved before the fire is declared out and fire resources demobilized.
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Command of the #IdlerFire transitioned from the local Idaho Department of Lands initial attack command to the North Idaho Type 3 incident management team at 6 pm today.

Crews were successful in constructing fireline around the entire perimeter of the fire. Plumbing the line to reinforce the containment ability has begun and is expected to continue into the week. Air resources dropped water on hot spots allowing fire crews to directly engage the fire. Progress toward containment remains strong.

Fire managers would like to thank the public for following the evacuation orders of the Latah County Sheriff, at this time the Sheriff has rescinded those orders and homeowners are being allowed to return to their properties but should be “Ready” to leave if conditions change. Fire crews are still working in this area- smoke will be visible and the public is asked to use extreme caution when driving in the area as fire equipment and personnel will be on the roads.

Damage assessments are ongoing, and currently there has been only one primary and one secondary structure identified as lost. The cause of the wildland fire is currently under investigation. Idler’s Rest Conservation Area has sustained no damage; the public is asked to stay clear while fire crews remain in the area.

Drones are always illegal to fly near wildfires. It will ground all aircraft. If you fly, we can’t.

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