Smoke break’s over

COEUR d’ALENE — As smoke settled over the Idaho Panhandle on Thursday, air quality dropped to unhealthy levels.

North winds have brought increased smoke from active fires in British Columbia and northern Washington, according to the National Weather Service.

Air quality impacts will likely worsen today.

Smoke will begin to clear Saturday ahead of a large cold front set to arrive Sunday.

The Washington Department of Ecology issued an air quality alert for all of eastern Washington through 10 a.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service in Spokane said the air quality alert was also issued for Bonner, Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties.

People most likely to experience effects due to unhealthy air include older adults, children and teens, as well as those with heart or lung disease. They should avoid strenuous outdoor activities and keep outings short.

Everyone else should limit the amount of time spent outdoors.

Calm, northerly winds may be advantageous for crews battling area wildfires, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Deceitful Fire, which has burned about 6,800 acres north of the Silver Valley so far, was 11% contained as of late Thursday.

The neighboring Prichard Fire is 100% contained as fire crews mop up and patrol areas outside the fire’s edge.

Meanwhile, communities near the Stateline Complex fire are seeing increased smoke.

The complex is burning on the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, to the south and west of the Idaho-Montana state line.

The Tumbledown Fire, the largest in the complex, has burned about 9,300 acres so far, mostly in rugged terrain.

It was 20% contained as of Thursday. Crews are focusing on the Quarts Creek drainage to the north, Bluff Creek drainage to the south and Nugget Creek to the west.

The Dolly Creek Fire is 81% contained, with full containment projected this week.

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Evacuation update for Bonner County

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation status update late Thursday for residents in the area of the Trestle Complex fire.

All homes previously in “ready” status have moved to “set” status.

That means residents should have a three-day supply of food and water ready, as well as other emergency materials. They should have a plan in place for any pets or livestock, as well as a plan on where they will evacuate.

Affected roads are:

Rapid Lightning Road (from Wellington North), Wellington Road, Vandyke Road, Trapper Creek Road, Trapper Creek Spur, Stove Road, Box Canyon, High Road, Rising Hawk Ridge Road, Dragon Drive, Moon Fire Road, Hidden Forest Way, Stellar Drive, Legacy Lane, Ice Creek Forest Lane, Early Breakfast Creek Road, Barbary Trail, Dads GaRoaden Lane, Snowshoe Ridge Road, Laid Back Drive, Cross Mountain Road, Holly Berry, Flume Creek Road, Little Flume Creek Road, Dunn Creek Road, Out Of The Woods, Trout Creek Road, Trestle Creek Road, Winds Way, Lightning Ridge Road, Shady Acres Lane, Two Creeks Hollow, Trout Creek Ranch Road, Star Ridge Road, Trestle Creek Lane, Thunder Alley, Char Lane