Fire restrictions end today

COEUR d’ALENE — Recent weather conditions have prompted public, state and tribal land managers to rescind all fire restrictions in the Coeur d’Alene Dispatch Zone.

Restrictions ended today at 12:01 a.m.

The Coeur d’Alene Dispatch Zone is comprised of all state, state endowment, federal, tribal and private forestland and rangeland in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties.

This also includes National Forest System lands in Washington and Montana that are administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Though several large fires are still burning in the Idaho Panhandle, recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have reportedly lowered fire danger.

Campfires will be allowed starting today.

Possession or use of fireworks is always prohibited on federal public lands.

Burn permits are required for debris burning through Oct. 20.

At this time, no burn permits are being issued for the Coeur d’Alene Fire Restriction Area.

Area closures associated with the Deceitful and Prichard fires burning north of the Silver Valley remain in affect, as well as IDL closures for access roads off the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Road.

The Prichard fire remains 100% contained.

The Deceitful fire was 40% contained as of late Thursday. The blaze has torched more than 12,000 acres so far.

Crews are working to strengthen and improve fire lines between Beaver Creek and Prichard Creek.

Meanwhile, fuel break construction continues from Oregon Gulch to Fancy Gulch, as well as along the 939 Road north of Murray.

Fuel breaks will help reduce future fire threats to structures within the Eagle Creek drainage and the community of Murray.