Single Publication

Location:  Approximately 3.5 miles east of the north tip of Hayden Lake, along the Hayden Creek Road (Forest Service Road 437) from the Ridge Creek drainage to South Chilco Mountain.

Start Date: 8/3/2023      Cause: Human-caused              Size: 4,474 acres      Containment: 51%

Total Personnel: 317   Heavy Equipment: 21               Engines: 11          Crews: 7

Note: All fire restrictions have been lifted for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest as of today. While campfires are no longer restricted, hunters and recreationists are urged to continue to use caution. Never leave a campfire unattended, and make sure it is cold to the touch before walking away. Please visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder for a detailed map and current information regarding fire restrictions across the state.

With weekend traffic increasing, motorists are advised to watch for firefighting equipment as firefighters released from the incident travel home.

FIRE STATUS

The Ridge Creek Fire was reported on 8/3/23 at 2:30 PM in the Ridge Creek drainage, approximately three miles east of the northern tip of Hayden Lake. Investigators have determined that the fire was human-caused.

Yesterday, firefighters continued to mop up, chip along roads and make repairs to roads and other features damaged by fire suppression. On the eastern side of the fire, they worked with resource advisors, specialists who identify impacts of fire operations on natural and cultural resources, to identify areas needing suppression repair. They also began disassembling the Hudlow Warming Hut spike camp. In the Nunn Road, Bunco Road and Trapper Creek area they removed unneeded pumps, hose and portable water storage devices (“pumpkins”). Chipping operations increased in the Bunco Road area with the addition of another chipper.

Today’s emphasis is on chipping and cleaning up suppression work along roads with the end goal of allowing public access into the fire area as soon as it is safe to do so. Because opening roads on the northern side of the fire is a priority, another chipper will work in that area today.

Specifically, masticators and graders continue work on the 385 Road. To the southwest, firefighters and heavy equipment continue to work on the 206 Road, as well as felling hazard trees and chipping on the 625 Road. Breaking down the Hudlow spike camp will continue and crews will backhaul equipment. Initial attack firefighters continue to be available to respond to any new starts in the surrounding area.

As fire behavior decreases and completion of tasks increases, firefighting personnel assigned to the Ridge Creek Fire are being released to help with other fires as needed.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

A slight warming trend is expected the next few days, but not back to the above-normal temperatures we experienced prior to this week’s rain. Temperatures are expected to be a high of 73-78 degrees and a low near 55, and winds are forecast to be northeast at 7-11 mph, decreasing to 5-8 mph after 2:00 PM. Relative humidity is expected to be 39-44 percent.

Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov and www.wildlandfiresmoke.net.

Live and dead vegetation remains damp from recent rainfall and active flames are unlikely. With a drying trend, some areas of smoke may appear where built-up organic material or large logs smolder, especially in areas with remaining heat at the northeast portion of the fire.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Kootenai County has lifted all evacuation notices. Please monitor official county sources for the most up-to-date information. https://www.kcsheriff.com/186/Emergency-Management

A daylight hours temporary flight restriction remains in place. Information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_3347.html

Closure Order #01-04-03-23-003 for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest remains in place for Forest Service land north of Forest Service Road (FSR) 206, west of FSR 209 and FSR 385, and south of FSR 332; and for Forest Service land surrounding and north of the Yellowbanks Creek area and west of FSR 1535.

The closure includes all Forest Service Roads within the area:

• FSR 332, 385, 392, 428A, 437, 1507, 1511, 1530, 1552 and 1587.
• FSR 206 north of the junction with FSR 406.
• FSR 406 north of the junction with FSR 206.
• Bunco Road/FSR 332 from the National Forest boundary east to the junction of FSR 385.
• FSR 385 from the junction with Bunco Road/FSR 332 south to the junction of FSR 209 and FSR 794.

It also includes Forest Service Trails 69, 78, 234, 577 and 802.

This order is necessary for public and firefighter safety due to heavy fire traffic and equipment in the area. For more information, please see the Idaho Panhandle National Forest website at Idaho Panhandle National Forests - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)