Deceitful Fire continues to spread

KELLOGG — The Deceitful Fire burning north of the Silver Valley is expected to reach the Avista power line corridor this week.

The fire has burned about 4,100 acres so far and remains 0% contained as of Wednesday.

Crews have wrapped wooden power poles in protective materials. They’re also installing sprinkler systems beneath power lines.

In the northeast, flames continue burn beneath Bonneville Power Authority lines.

While firefighters and aircraft work in the upper end of Cedar Creek to keep the blaze in check, crews have also commenced a burnout operation along the ridge west of Moon Saddle.

A burnout operation removes the unburned fuel between a containment line and the fire edge. This allows better control over the intensity of a fire.

Officials said the blackened area will deprive the Deceitful Fire of fuel as it spreads to the south.

Road closures will go into effect next week as the fire continues to spread.

Beginning Monday at 6 p.m., North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Road and Old River Road will be closed to all traffic except for local residents and egress.

Meanwhile, firefighters continue to secure the edges of the neighboring Prichard Fire.

Though containment lines around the fire are secure, officials said unburned fuels in the interior have the potential to produce spot fires.

The Prichard fire is 75% contained as of Wednesday.

To the south, the Stateline Complex continues to spread.

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.

A spot fire crossed the St. Joe River on Wednesday, prompting officials to expand the closure of Forest Highway 50 to the state line on Gold’s Pass into Montana.