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Large forest fire in Bayview area, evacuations
ordered,
some structures destroyed
Additional updated
reports on other area fires |
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July 5, 2015 |
Another forest fire, this time in the vicinity
of Cape Horn near Bayview, in the southern Lake
Pend Oreille area. This fire was discovered on
Sunday, July 5.
As of 11:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, July 5, the
fire is estimated at approximately 600 acres,
with no containment.
Bonner and Kootenai County Sheriffs have issued
an evacuation order for residents around the
Bayview community due to the advancing Cape Horn
Fire. A pre-evacuation notice has been
issued to residents of Bayview east of Main
Street and Marietta Street. Residents in this
area should be prepared to leave with short
notice and are encouraged to pack a go-bag with
medications, pet food, important documents and
other necessary items. Should an evacuation of
this area become necessary residents will be
contacted by local law enforcement.
The fire’s cause is not yet known.
This fire is exhibiting rapid spread, and
evacuations have been implemented for Cape Horn
Road and all roads to the east including all of
Perimeter Road. Structure assessment is
currently underway in areas where it is safe for
firefighters to gain access. Six structures have
been destroyed, but at this time it is unknown
what type of structures are affected.
For displaced members of the public the Red
Cross has set up an evacuation center at
Timberlake High School located on Highway 54 in
Spirit Lake, Idaho.
Blacktail Fire near Priest Lake
This fire continues to be around 6 acres.
On Saturday, the Fourth of July, crews were
able to get a good percentage of fireline around
the fire, and successfully stopped a spot fire
that started outside the fireline when gusting
winds blew embers from the fire.
However, a second spot fire started up later
outside the line, southeast of the main fire.
This second fire estimated at a size of one
acre. Thirty-two firefighters and helicopters
running water drops continue to work on the
Blacktail Fire.
Granite Fire near Priest Lake
The granite fire, earlier one of several smaller
fires on the west side of Priest Lake that
started with lightning strikes during the June
29 storm, has now expanded to 100 acres,
according to reports from fire officials.
The Granite Fire is located about five miles
southwest of the Blacktail Fire at Priest Lake.
"The [Granite Fire] is in a very dangerous
location with heavy fuels, steep terrain and
standing dead timber," say fire officials.
"The burning that occurred early this morning
(Sunday morning) was very usual in its intensity
and rate of spread."
Currently 40 firefighters, several helicopters,
and tanker retardant airplanes are being
employed to battle this fire.
Baker's Camp Fire in Boundary County
This fire, located on the west side in northern
Boundary County, had expanded to 35 acres as of
the most recent information available from
Sunday morning.
Currently 67 firefighters are assigned to this
fire, attempting to control the fire and
construct handlines at certain perimeter areas
of the fire.
We will continue to report information on
these wildfires as the information becomes
available.
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