Priest Lake-area fires still being monitored

PRIEST LAKE - While firefighters were able to snuff a few of the fires caused by lightning on Monday, they weren't able to extinguish them all.

When Priest Lake Ranger District firefighters weren't able to extinguish all of the fire in the initial attack, officials called in the North Idaho Type III Incident Management Team, said Jill Cobb, fire information officer.

IMT crews are overseeing the Blacktail Fire on the Priest Lake Ranger District and the Bakers Camp Fire on Bonners Ferry Ranger District, Cobb said in a press release.

There are no structures threatened by the fires, which were first reported Wednesday.

"The public can easily see both the Blacktail and the Bakers Camp fires from Priest Lake," she said.

The Blacktail Fire has burned about 6 acres and is about 20 percent contained, according to IMT officials.

The remaining five fires on the Priest Lake Ranger District are being managed by the district's fire staff. The largest of these fires is the Granite Fire, which is an estimated 15 acres, Cobb said. The remaining fires range from a few trees to a couple of acres.

Cobb said firefighters plan to take advantage of slightly cooler temperatures and reduced winds to reinforce the newly-constructed fireline and extend it around the fire perimeter.

While there have been no evacuations, Blacktail Mountain trails 292 and 324 have been closed and the public is prohibited from entering the area.