Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-557-8813

Size: Approximately 880 acres          Containment: 20%               Cause: Human – under active investigation

Location: Near Bernard Point, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille.

Structures destroyed: 0

Fire management actions: Crews, engines, and heavy equipment are being used to build and improve control lines above and below Road 2707. Currently, most of the fire movement is south toward West Gold Creek and it has almost reached West Gold Creek at the southeastern edge. Steep terrain and heavy fuels are hampering efforts to keep the fire on the north side of the drainage. Additional heavy equipment and crews are arriving today to assist. Air operations will resume as soon as smoke clears enough to allow flying. Fire containment efforts for the east flank will incorporate hazardous fuels reduction to improve protection for the Lakeview community in the future.

Note: The increased acreage estimate is due mainly to better mapping data received in the past two days.

Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure at Gold Creek Lodge and the Lakeview community.

Evacuations and Closures: An area closure was put in place on September 9, 2020 for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire. See InciWeb for closure map. There are no evacuations associated with this fire.

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  Air quality is still listed as Hazardous or Very Unhealthy due to heavy regional smoke from large fires in Washington, Oregon, and California. The smoke has resulted in cooler temperatures and increased humidity. The 3 to 7 day forecast calls for moderating temperatures, increased cloud cover, and a slight chance of showers (but probably not wetting rain).

Fuels are heavy on the steep terrain in the West Gold Creek drainage. Fuels on the western and eastern edges of the fire are lighter with natural barriers (boulder fields, rock outcrops) interspersed, that slow the spread.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t! Boaters are also asked to stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are using Echo Bay to fill buckets and scoop water.

Bernard Fire Daily Update
Sept 14, 2020

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-557-8813

Size: Approximately 660 acres          Containment: 20%                Cause: Human – under active investigation

Location: Near Bernard Point, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille

Structures destroyed: 0

Fire management actions:  Crews, engines, and heavy equipment are being used to build and improve control lines. Fire managers are assessing needs and possible locations for additional fire line to protect the community of Lakeview. Air operations will resume as soon as smoke dissipates enough to allow flying.

Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure at Gold Creek Lodge and the Lakeview community.

Evacuations and Closures: An area closure was put in place on September 9, 2020 for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire. See InciWeb for closure map. There are no evacuations associated with this fire.

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  Heavy regional smoke from large fires in Washington, Oregon, and California has resulted in cooler temperatures and increased humidity. A light disturbance expected in the afternoon Monday and into Tuesday could bring light winds. The 3 to 7 day forecast calls for moderating temperatures, increased cloud cover, and a slight chance of showers (but most likely NOT wetting rain).

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t! Boaters are also asked to stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are using Echo Bay to fill buckets and scoop water.

Bernard Fire Update – September 13

Sandpoint, Idaho, September 13, 2020 – Discovered on Labor Day, the Bernard Fire is burning in steep terrain near Bernard Point, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille. Current size is estimated at 660 acres. It was determined to be human caused and remains under investigation. The North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team will be taking command of the fire tomorrow at 0600, with Rod Weeks as Incident Commander. With resources spread thin across the west, the team is coming in directly from the Hunter 2 Fire in Blanchard.

The east flank was showing active fire behavior yesterday in timber and heavy dead and down trees until it reached the 1996 burn scar, where firefighters observed lower fire intensity. On the south side of the fire, in the West Gold Creek drainage, there are previously harvested areas and prescribed burn units off the 2707 road. These areas of reduced fuel loading provide better opportunities for fireline construction and suppression activities. Rock faces and other natural barriers have checked growth to the west. The “fire triangle” is a simple model for understanding the necessary ingredients for most fires: heat, fuel, and oxygen. While thick smoke across the region certainly has numerous negative impacts, it is actually reducing the rate of fire spread by shading the fire. By blocking heat from the sun, and limiting oxygen for convective burning, heavy smoke disrupts the fire triangle and reduces fire behavior. Humidity is also increasing across the area, with better humidity recovery at night. Terrain, smoke, visibility, and inability to get an infrared flight have created mapping and acreage estimating challenges for fire managers, but maps will continue to be published as available.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been put in place for the Bernard Fire. This includes drones, which can interfere with firefighting efforts when illegally operated within a TFR. Boaters are also asked to stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are using Echo Bay to fill buckets and scoop water.

An area closure was put in place on September 9, 2020 for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire. Photos, closure map, and more can be found on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160/

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Bernard Fire Update – September 12

Sandpoint, Idaho, September 12, 2020 – Discovered on Labor Day, the Bernard Fire is burning in steep terrain near Bernard Point, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille. Current size is estimated at 640 acres. It was determined to be human caused and remains under investigation. Resources assigned include five engines, two initial attack modules, the Lolo Hotshots, one dozer, one excavator, and several aviation assets, for a total of 86 firefighting personnel.

As heavy regional and local smoke impacts continue through the weekend, aircraft will support suppression efforts when visibility allows. Fireline construction with heavy equipment continues on the west flank of the fire near Bernard Peak. Steep terrain and access challenges pose containment issues on the lake (north) face of the fire, where growth has occurred to the east and west. The fire is also backing downslope into the West Gold Creek drainage, where crews continue work to hold portions of Forest Service Road 2707. See map for a detailed perimeter.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been put in place for the Bernard Fire. This includes drones, which can interfere with firefighting efforts when illegally operated within a TFR. Boaters are also asked to stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are using Echo Bay to fill buckets and scoop water.

An area closure was put in place on September 9, 2020 for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire. Photos, closure map, and more can be found on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160/

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Bernard Fire Update – September 11

Sandpoint, Idaho, September 11, 2020 – Discovered Monday, the Bernard Fire is burning in steep terrain near Bernard Point, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille. Current size is estimated at 255 acres and the cause is under investigation. Resources assigned include five engines, two initial attack modules, the Lolo Hotshots, one dozer, one excavator, and several aviation assets.

The varied terrain within the fire perimeter necessitates the need for several different suppression strategies. The northern portion of the fire is burning on an extremely steep slope, from the shoreline of the lake up to the ridge. Rolling rocks and logs have been observed, and the terrain is not conducive to safe or effective ground operations, so aviation assets are working the north face to check the spread to the east and west. Moving around to the western section (also called flank), the fire is burning on the east side of Bernard Peak where heavy equipment bosses are guiding a dozer and an excavator to construct contingency firelines. The south and east side of the fire is being staffed by engines and ground personnel, working to hold roads as firelines and calling in aviation support when needed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been put in place for the Bernard Fire. This includes drones, which can interfere with firefighting efforts when illegally operated within a TFR. Boaters are also asked to stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are using Echo Bay to fill buckets and scoop water.

An area closure was put in place on September 9, 2020 for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire. Photos, closure map, and more can be found on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160/

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Temporary Area and Road Closure for the Bernard Fire near Bayview, Idaho

Sandpoint, Idaho, September 9, 2020 – Effective immediately, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials have put in place a temporary area and road closure to protect public and firefighter safety during suppression efforts for the Bernard Fire on the Sandpoint Ranger District.

Discovered Monday, the Bernard Fire is burning in steep terrain near Bernard Point, overlooking the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille. Current size is estimated at 188 acres and the cause is under investigation. Firefighters continue working today to hold the fire from progressing to the east using multiple helicopters and Fire Bosses. Three engine crews and two Initial Attack modules are working to contain the fire on the south portion of the fire where the terrain is more accessible. Contingency line is being planned on the west portion of the fire on Bernard Peak.

The following closure is in place until rescinded (see attached map for details):

Area Closure: Beginning at Steamboat Rock on the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille, then proceeding westerly along the shoreline to the section line between Sections 10 and 11 (Township 53 North, Range 2 West, B.M.). Then proceeding directly south to the divide between Sawpit Creek and Barker Creek, then turning east along the this divide to Bernard Peak. Proceeding south from Bernard Peak to the intersection of Trail 6001 and Road 2707, then following along the eastern edge of Road 2707 to the intersection with Road 332, then proceeding along the northeastern edge of Road 332 to the intersection with Road 278. Then proceeding northeasterly along the northern edge of Road 278 to the intersection with Road 2707. Then proceeding along the western edge of Road 2707 to the intersection with Road 2707B to the northern edge of Section 10 (Township 53 North, Range 1 West, B.M.). Then proceeding west along the section line to the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille. Then proceeding southwesterly along the shoreline to the starting point at Steamboat Rock.

Roads 332 and 278 are not included in the closure. Trail 6001 is not included in the closure.

Being on the following roads are prohibited:

• FSR 2707: from its intersection with Trail 6001 to the intersection with FSR 2707B

• FSR 2708

• FSR 2708A

• FSR 278A

• FSR 278B

• FSR 278D

• FSR 278E

• A portion of 2707UA (on NFS lands)

   

  Being on the following trails are prohibited:

• A portion of Trail 37 (on NFS lands)

• Trail 2707A

*See the Map tab for a detailed map view of this area closure

 Bernard Fire 

 Fire Summary:Last night an infrared flight flew over the fire to identify any areas of heat near the perimeter of the fire. Any identified hot spots will be taken care of today before crews are demobilized at the end of their shifts.
 There are videos by Operation Section Chief, John Pellissier, flying over the fire on the Two Four Two Fire Facebook page. These videos highlight the work that has been done on the fire. No account is required to view the videos.
 Today is the last day Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Manage-ment Team #2 will be in command of the fire. Transition to a local Type 4 team will happen at 8:00am tomorrow morning. The objectives for the Type 4 team remain the same. The crews will continue mop up where it warrants and continue suppression repair. The local team will staff the fire with multiple engines, water tenders and dozers through the week. ODF and USFS are expecting the fire to be 100% contained by the end of shift on Friday.
 This will be the final fire update from Team 2. The incident management team would like to thank the cooperators and public for working together on this fire. Without local resources and support from the community our team would not have been as successful.
 Firefighter and public safety is the top priority during this incident, including COVID mitigation. Personnel will be following Center for Disease Control guidelines to limit personal interactions both within camp and with the local com-munity. The incident command post and fire camp are closed to the public and media.

 Fire Summary:Today is the last day that the National Guard will be working a full shift on the Two Four Two Fire. We thank them for their contributions and personal sacrifice in helping with our firefighting efforts and wish them a safe return home. Crews will continue mop up and gridding for smoke in the fire area. Firefighters have almost completed mopping up 100 feet into the interior of the fire, around the perimeter. There is some remaining heat on the west side of Highway 62 that crews will focus on. The team is planning to transition to a Type 4 team made up of ODF and USFS resources on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd at 8a.m.
 Safety always comes first. Snags are an extreme hazard to firefighters and the public following any wildfire. Heather Berg, USFS Agency Administrator, stated in last night’s virtual community meeting that the U.S Forest Service land will remain closed to the public in the fire area. U.S Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry will continue working in the fire area to rehabilitate fire line and evaluate post fire restoration work.
 The virtual community meeting from last night can be viewed on the Two Four Two Fire Facebook page. No account is required to view the video.
 Firefighter and public safety is the priority during this incident, including COVID mitigation. Personnel will be following Center for Disease Control guide-lines to limit personal interactions both within camp and with the local communi-ty. The incident command post and fire camp are closed to the public and media.