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Wildfires smoke up the region |
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August 23, 2016 |
By Mike Weland
Fires in northeast Washington have burned over
4,300 acres and destroyed more than 30 homes
while blanketing much of North Idaho in a haze
of smoke in recent days. In Montana, nine active
fires have burned more than 35,000 acres, in
Idaho, there are 10 active fires burning in the
Boise, Nez Perce-Clearwater, Salmon-Challis,
Caribou-Targhee and Sawtooth National Forests as
of Tuesday morning, with 110,983 acres burned.
More than 200 personnel continue to battle the
Yale Road Fire in Spokane County, which has
grown to 3,500 acres and burned 10 homes since
it ignited on Sunday, and the Hart Road Fire
near Davenport is estimated to have burned
16,000 acres and more than 20 homes.
Closer to home, small wildfire was detected
Monday approximately one mile south of Gleason
Mountain on the Priest Lake Ranger District.
Aerial observations of the eight-acre fire
indicate it is not burning aggressively and
sparse fuels in the area, along with moderated
weather conditions, are expected to limit
further growth.
Safety concerns with remoteness and
accessibility of this area influenced the
decision to not utilize firefighters on the
ground at this time. The Priest Lake Ranger
District is actively monitoring the fire and
identifying points to engage if needed.
The fire, believed to have been started by a
lightning strike around July 15, is burning in
sparse fuels posing low probability to spread.
The fire smoldered and burned in a small area
until it emitted enough smoke to be detected on
August 19.
The public is advised to avoid this area. For
additional information or updates on fire
activity on the Idaho Panhandle National
Forests, please contact Shoshana Cooper, Public
Affairs Officer, at (208) 765-7211. |
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