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Wildfires popping up - danger to increase
Thursday |
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July 19, 2017 |
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Regional fires as shown on the U.S.
Wildfire Activity Public Information Map
as of 11 a.m. today. To view the current
map,
click
here. |
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The Coeur d' Alene River Ranger District of the
Idaho Panhandle National Forests is currently
staffing the Beaver Creek wildfire. This fire is
located near the intersection of Beaver Creek Rd
(County Road 456) and Kings Pass Road.
Since its detection on July 17, firefighters,
engines, and air resources have been actively
fighting the fire.
Air resources thus far include helicopters, a
fireboss and retardant drops. The size is
approximately 10 acres. The Pritchard Murray
Volunteer Fire Department has been a cooperating
agency throughout. Fire managers ask that the
public avoid the Beaver Creek Road due to
firefighting activity.
A lightning-caused fire was found on Spades
Mountain on July 17. Firefighters dug a handline
and utilized hoses and an engine to successfully
suppress the fire at approximately a quarter
acre. The Spades Fire is contained and
controlled as of end of shift yesterday.
There was also an escaped campfire in the Beauty
Creek Area that was luckily reported and
contained today.
Human caused starts, particularly in the
Wildland-Urban interface, pose a threat to the
public as well as requiring valuable
firefighting resources that may be needed
elsewhere. Please be firewise and never leave a
campfire unattended.
Firefighter and public safety is the number one
priority in wildland fire management and
emergency response. Fire activity across the
nation has significantly increased and the
National Preparedness Level (PL) is currently 4.
PL 4 means that three or more geographic areas
are experiencing wildland fire incidents
requiring Type 1 and 2 Incident Management
Teams.
According to the National Weather Service,
thunderstorms will move into the region after
midnight tonight which are likely to produce
lightning but generally have little to no
precipitation with them, which will increase the
risk of wildfire.
Breezy late afternoon and early evening winds
are expected Thursday across the Columbia Basin
into the Spokane area and western portions of
the Palouse. Relative humidity values will
remain low, increasing the potential for rapid
fire spread. |
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