Crews continue to battle Nettleton Gulch fire
Flathead hotshots prepare saws for wildland firefighting Tuesday at the Nettleton Gulch fire site in Coeur d'Alene.
Photo courtesy of the Idaho Department of Lands
Gov. Brad Little proclaimed Wednesday “Idaho Wildland Firefighter Day” to honor the lives of Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Frank Harwood and Coeur d’Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison.
The men were shot and killed in what local officials described as an ambush Sunday afternoon on Canfield Mountain.
“Without this skilled workforce in Idaho we wouldn’t be able to combat the continued threat of wildfire,” Little said.
Crews worked to widen the line around the Nettleton Gulch fire throughout the day to establish more containment and continue mopping up hotspots for the area, now measured to be 23 acres.
About 50% of the fire was contained as of Wednesday night, and forward progression has been stopped.
Two Type-1 helicopters are being used for water drops as needed.
Canfield Mountain's slopes and difficult footing has slowed firefighting efforts.