Task force helps squash fire

The quick response of a task force put the brakes on the Mission Flats Fire this week near Cataldo Mission State Park.

Jerry Lynn, fire chief of the Eastside Fire District, said the “Predetermined Strike Task Force Team” performed well in the hot, dry conditions and kept the blaze from spreading.

“It was pretty cool to see,” Lynn said. “It was implemented, activated and it worked.”

The fire started Wednesday morning grew to about 100 acres before it was declared contained as of Thursday morning.

The task force that responded to the Mission Flats Fire, on the east side of Kootenai County, includes Coeur d’Alene, Kootenai Fire & Rescue, Northern Lakes and Eastside firefighters. There are also task forces formed in the past year assigned to the west, north and south section of the county. Each is called out on larger incidents to provide assistance.

Because it is already determined who will respond, it takes a few phone calls to handle the logistics and have firefighters in key positions.

The Mission Flats Fire was going strong when the task force arrived. Teams were put on fire lines, fire suppression and hot spots. The Eastside Fire District contributed about five firefighters who spent about 10 hours on duty.

“It worked out really well and was really well coordinated,” Lynn said.

The Eastside Fire District’s coverage area ranges from Beauty Bay to Harrison, basically the entire east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Lynn said with 50 volunteers, it is one of the largest volunteer departments in the state.

“We cover a lot of ground,” he said.