Fire danger 'extreme'

COEUR d'ALENE — Deputy Fire Marshal Bobby Gonder said Tuesday that weather this week could be setting the stage for fires.

He cited lack of moisture, high temperatures, growing crowds in town for major events and people still shooting off illegal fireworks as cause for concern.

"It could be a busy weekend," said Gonder.

Coeur d'Alene firefighters responded to a brush fire in Cheney, Wash., on Monday afternoon and into the evening as part of a Northwest wildfire task force.

Meanwhile, the Idaho Department of Lands said Tuesday that hot summer temperatures across the state have resulted in drier conditions and an increased fire danger, with nearly all lands under IDL fire protection now in "Very High" to "Extreme Fire Danger."

According to the Coeur d'Alene Interagency Dispatch Center, "A ridge of high pressure will remain fixed over the districts through at least Thursday. This will result in unusually dry and very warm weather over all districts.

The National Weather Service forecast is calling for highs in the 90s today and Thursday, with thunderstorms Friday and Saturday. There is a 20% chance of rain.

As of Tuesday, IDL crews have fought 166 fires with most being human-caused or investigated as possibly being human-caused.

"IDL works hard to hold fires to 10 acres or less, and that becomes more challenging with very high and extreme conditions," said IDL's Fire Management Bureau Chief Josh Harvey in a press release.

Fire officials are asking people to increase their caution as a spark in dry conditions can start and carry a fire a long-distance, putting communities at greater risk for catastrophic fires.

State burn permits are not currently be issued except for agricultural field burning.

Statewide, only Central Idaho is under restrictions. Other areas may be added in the next few weeks.

This weekend in Coeur d'Alene is one of the busiest of the year, with Art on the Green, Taste of Coeur d'Alene and the Street Fair. The events attract an estimated 50,000 people over their three-day run.

"Idahoans and tourists recreating in areas without fire restrictions need to use extra caution and avoid activities that could spark a fire," Harvey said.