Consalus Fire News Today

Not only has containment of the Buckskin 2 Fire increased, it may not be as big as previously thought. Fire manager were able to "ground truth" the fire — meaning compare information collected on the ground with infrared data — and now estimate the fire has burned roughly 242 acres. IPNF officials previously estimated the fire at 264 acres.

Despite unseasonably hot, dry weather, officials said crews are making good progress on area fires.

Aircraft are assisting Buckskin 2 Fire crews as they work to get a handle on the wildfire located about eight miles south of the city. An infrared flight of the fire places the size of the fire at roughly 264 acres, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials said Monday.

Almost 2,800 acres in the region have been burned in a handful of wildfires, with the largest being the Ridge Creek Fire, roughly 3 1/2 miles east of the northern tip of Hayden Lake. Fire danger in the region is rated as very high to extreme, prompting the implementation of Stage 2 fire restrictions in the state. Under these restrictions, open burning is prohibited, including campfires, stove fires and recreational fires.

Crews continue to battle on a number of fires in the region. And, while the percentage of containment may vary, officials said progress is either being maintained or increased.

An increase in fire activity around the nation has prohibited an infrared flight to measure the size of the Buckskin 2 Fire. The fire, reported Aug. 4, has burned an estimated 226 acres on Delyle Ridge between Twin and Dry creeks, eight miles due south of Clark Fork. The cause of the fire, which is 15% contained, is under investigation.

Firefighter and public safety are the primary objectives for crews fighting the Buckskin 2 Fire near Clark Fork. While an infrared flight to map the fire has not yet occurred due to the number of fires around the country, officials said the fire has burned an estimated 185 acres.

Firefighters are working to gain control of the Buckskin 2 Fire, located eight miles south of the city. The fire, which is being fought by a Type 3 team out of the Sandpoint Ranger District, has burned an estimated 180 acres since it was reported on Aug. 4. There are five engines, two hand crews, two firefighter modules, and a dozer assigned to the fire, which is on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

A wildfire eight miles south of Clark Fork prompted officials to place some residents near the city on “ready status,” warning them to get ready for possible evacuation. Reported Friday evening, the Buckskin 2 Fire has burned an estimated 150 acres and is 0% contained. There are 80 personnel assigned to the fire, with three engines and three hand crews on scene. Additional fire resources have been ordered, Kary Maddox, a U.S. Forest Service pubic information officer, said Saturday.

As containment of the Consalus Fire increased to 70%, state officials advised that fire danger in most of the state is rated as very high to extreme. As of Tuesday, Idaho Department of Lands crews have fought 166 fires, with most being human-caused or investigated as possibly being human-caused.