'A dangerous situation'

COEUR d'ALENE — The city of Coeur d'Alene on Monday banned recreational fires following a red-flag warning issued by the National Weather Service.

"Any new and existing fires have the potential to spread rapidly," the NWS reported.

A red-flag warning was in effect from 1 to 11 p.m. Monday. It means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or will be shortly.

The red-flag status was issued for the Idaho Panhandle, Eastern Columbia Basin, the Spokane area, lower Palouse and the Snake River area.

It could be restituted this week.

Dry, hot conditions are expected to continue and even worsen. The forecast calls for temperatures over 90 degrees starting this weekend and continuing for more than a week. Lightning strikes warnings were also issued for the Panhandle on Monday.

Climatologist Cliff Harris said it was 95 degrees Sunday and 90 Monday. He said it has rained only .19 of an inch since June 25. Normal for that period is 1.30 inches.

"So we're really down on moisture," he said. "The combination of heat and wind and no moisture, that makes for a dangerous situation."

Harris said southwest winds of about 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph, are possible today.

"Any brush fire that gets going, it's really going to be pretty tough," he said.

Deputy Fire Marshal Craig Etherton said during high fire danger all fine dead fuels ignite readily and fires start easily from most causes.

"Unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape," a city press release said. "Fires spread rapidly and become serious, making control of the fires difficult unless caught while small in size."

Yard debris burning, hand and machine piled slash, and barrel burning have been shut down and these burn permits will no longer be issued through the state burn-permit program, the release said.

Kary Maddox, Forest Service spokesperson, said a wildfire about 3 miles up Beauty Creek Road off the northeast tip of Lake Coeur d’Alene continued to burn.

The Beauty Creek Fire was initially reported Friday. As of Monday, it was about 13 acres and burning in heavy timber. Interagency firefighters completed a line around 100% of the fire.

But winds could fan those flames.

"If needed, aviation assets will be requested to support suppression efforts on the ground," the release said.

While road closures are not yet in place, road guards are working on Forest Service Road 453 and temporary emergency closures may be needed, the release said.

"Boaters of all kinds are cautioned to avoid the Beauty Bay area. Failure to clear out when fire aircraft are working can cause delays that waste valuable time and put boots on the ground at additional risk," the release said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.