Storm left 32 fires throughout region
COEUR d'ALENE - Thirty-two fires are burning on Idaho Panhandle National Forests land, with a heavy assist from Mother Nature.
According to a Forest Service press release late Saturday afternoon, a thunderstorm system that moved through the region overnight July 6 and 7 brought widespread lightning and very little precipitation.
Aided by record temperatures, a bevy of fires has been burning.
Here are the most notable fires and their current impacts:
The North Zone of the IPNF – Sandpoint Ranger District: 10 lightning strikes were recorded in the vicinity of Trestle Creek, east of Sandpoint, that resulted in seven confirmed wildfires. A Great Basin Type 3 Incident Management Team took command Saturday night. These fires are visible from Sandpoint, Hope, Lake Pend Oreille, and the surrounding area.
The Central Zone of the IPNF – Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District: The three largest fires (Cinnabar Creek, Deceitful, and Prichard) have been delegated to a North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team due to acreage, complexity, management level needed, and values at risk. Smoke from these fires is highly visible from the Silver Valley. Going forward, these three fires will be managed as the Character Complex.
The South Zone of the IPNF – St. Joe Ranger District: There are 17 confirmed wildfires across the district. Most notably, the 600-acre Tumbledown Fire is impacting St. Joe River Road. The fire is burning on steep terrain, resulting in rocks and debris causing unsafe conditions and rendering the road impassible near mile marker 68. Alternative access to the upper St. Joe River area is over Gold Pass. The Little Joe Road (FS 282) from I-90 at St. Regis, MT connects with Highway 50 at Gold Pass (the ID/MT state line).
Wildfire season is well underway, prompting an increased need for wildfire preparedness. Go to https://www.ready.gov/wildfires for information on recognizing warnings and alerts, making an emergency plan, strengthening your home, and knowing your evacuation routes.
Stage II fire restrictions are in effect for the Coeur d Alene Dispatch zone. See www.idahofireinfo.com for more details.
