Lightning sparks several small Panhandle fires
ST. MARIES - The St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests is currently managing four wildland fires for resource benefit. Three fires are located in the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area including the Fawnstooth, Sawtooth, and Elk Fires. The Needle Fire, located in the upper St. Joe River corridor is also being managed for resource benefit. The resource benefits to be gained from these natural ignitions include reducing hazardous fuel accumulations, improving big game habitat, and allowing fire to fulfill vital ecological processes. The fires were started by lightning late last week when a thunderstorm moved across the south end of the forest. Currently the fires are approximately 1/3 of an acre in size and are slowly creeping and smoldering.
“Considering the wet year we’ve been having and the remote location of these fires, we couldn’t ask for a better situation,” commented St. Joe River District Ranger Chuck Mark. “Natural fires like these provide a great opportunity to safely allow wildfire to fulfill its natural role in the forest.”
Naturally occurring fires such as these are critical to restoring and maintaining the health of our forests in North Idaho. Historic exclusion of fire from these ecosystems has contributed to an increasing number of fire intolerant tree species, increased canopy closure, reduction in wildlife habitat, and increasing vulnerability to insect and disease outbreaks. When conditions are right Forest Service fire managers today can take advantage of naturally ignited fires to help reverse these trends in forest health and allow fire to fulfill its natural role in our forests.
Firefighters will monitor each of the fires to ensure they continue to burn in an ecologically beneficial manner, and continue to meet the goals for natural fires expressed in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Land Resource and Management Plan. Assessments will monitor the intensity and spread of the fires, as well as the smoke created. Firefighters will immediately work to suppress any fire that no longer meets natural resource objectives or poses a threat to human life or property.
Travelers in the St. Joe Ranger District may see smoke and fire in areas including Forest road 395, Forest road 320, and Trails 48, 11, 109, 110, 111, and 141. If you travel in the vicinity of the fires, please take precautions and be aware of the following hazards:
* Potentially erratic fire behavior
* Rolling rocks or logs
* Falling snags and trees