Fire danger high in much of North Idaho

August 2, 2014

The persistent hot and dry weather pattern continues to dry forest fuels, prompting fire managers to raise the wildland fire danger to “High” throughout most of North Idaho.  Locally, the Bonners Ferry Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service and the Kootenai Valley Supervisory Area of the Idaho Department of Lands both list our local area fire danger as "High." To find out the fire danger for various parts of Northern Idaho, check the web site for the Coeur d’Alene Interagency Dispatch Center. That web site is: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/dc/idcdc/ When the fire danger is "High,” fires can start easily from many causes, and small fuels such as grasses and needles will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily and can become serious and difficult to control unless they are put out while they are still small. The moisture of the spring and early summer has led to the growth of a large quantity of grasses and brush. When cured, this season’s growth will provide an abundance of fine, flashy fuels, increasing the threat of fast moving wildland fires. Hold-over fires from slash piles burned this past spring and fall have the potential to be a major cause of fires in the near future. Individuals who have conducted burning operations this spring or last fall should carefully check their burn areas for any smoldering debris. Fires caused by people are of great concern because of their proximity to homes. Those responsible for human-caused fires, including hold-over fires from fall or spring burning, will be billed for suppression costs. The heat of the summer fire season in North Idaho typically begins in mid to late July. The warm and dry weather we have been experiencing may lead to above average fire potential for the remainder of the summer.