Single Publication

Updates on the Kootenai River Complex will be provided with less frequency or as operations change.

Incident Command: Bonners Ferry District Type 3, Brian Hicks/Mitch Prophet(t) Incident Commanders  

Estimated Size: 22,559 acres                                   Completion: 85%                                                       Personnel: 155

Highlights: A type 3 Bonners Ferry Ranger District incident management organization assumed command of the Kootenai River Complex on Saturday, October 1.

Rain that fell Thursday and Friday significantly decreased fire behavior to smoldering. Heat remains in heavy fuels and those sheltered by tree canopies that didn't receive as much moisture. 

Planned Actions: Firefighters continue to monitor the Long Canyon Fire from the air and lookout points as visibility and conditions allow. An engine crew and wildland fire module are assessing structure needs up Smith Creek. The Katka Fire remains unstaffed and is monitored by air resources as conditions allow. 

To the west of Westside Road, firefighters continue widening and strengthening control lines and connecting dozer lines with handline where needed. Firefighters are positioned to fight the fire directly if it backs down to these control lines. Where this has already occurred, crews are cooling hot spots and creating 50 feet of depth into the fire interior to increase containment. Heavy equipment will be moved as needed to strengthen lines and conduct suppression repair work. Additionally, firefighters regularly turn on and test sprinkler systems around structures to wet the ground and ensure they are working. Due to the wet weather, higher humidity, and shortened burn periods due to reduced daylight hours, the fire may not reach the fire line in all places. 

In some areas, suppression repair work has begun, including closing indirect lines no longer necessary and installing water bars for erosion control. 

Weather: Over the next several days, temperatures are expected to increase to the mid-'70s to low 80's, and low relative humidity will drop to 46-51% during the days. On Saturday, winds will be northeast at 5-9 mph, switching to the south to southeast at 3-8 mph on Sunday and Monday. These weather conditions could cause increased fire behavior in areas still holding heat. 

Closures: Due to active fires and fire suppression activities, Westside Road is restricted to residents only. Additionally, the following National Forest Trails and Roads remain closed: Ball Creek Road (FR 432), Trout Creek Road (FR 634), Russell Mountain (No. 12), Russell Ridge (No. 92), Ball and Pyramid Lakes (No. 43), Pyramid Pass (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Fisher Peak (No. 27), Trout Lake (No. 41), McGinty Ridge (No. 143), Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182), Myrtle Peak Trail (No. 286), and Burton Peak Trail (No. 9).

Evacuations: There are NO evacuations currently in place. Those living on the Westside Road closest to Ball Creek, Burton Creek, and Clark Creek are in READY fire pre-evacuation status. Residents of Boundary County, Idaho, can visit https://www.nixle.com or text their home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts. To learn more about READY SET GO, visit https://bit.ly/3wi0jMu.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There are TFRs in place for air space over the Katka Fire (2-2384) and the Russell Mountain Fire (2-5373) for aviation safety. Remember that temporary flight restrictions apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can't!