Upper Smith Fire Holds at 3,697 Acres
Two active wildfires in Bonner County showed minimal growth over the past day, with crews focusing containment efforts along strategic fuel breaks and leveraging cooler weather conditions to slow fire behavior across the region.
The Upper Smith Fire, located 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry and 6 miles west of Porthill, remained at 3,697 acres burned with no acreage increase in the past 24 hours. Containment stood at 38% as of August 16. Ground and aerial crews concentrated on strengthening defensive positions and limiting potential eastward and southward spread.
Firefighting operations on the Upper Smith focused on multiple strategic priorities. Patrols along the northeastern edge between Smith Creek and Long Canyons searched for residual heat in the burn area, where most remaining activity occurred. Crews reinforced handlines at the boundary with the 2015 Parker Ridge Fire burn footprint—a natural fuel break that can slow fire progression.
Along Westside Road, personnel constructed a shaded fuel break, a thinned corridor that slows fire movement while allowing some vegetation to remain. A dozer working south of this break received pump and hose support to enhance fire suppression capability. Masticators and road graders improved contingency lines along Smith Creek Road and abandoned forest roads west of the fire to provide backup containment corridors.
Aviation resources were positioned for use along the Parker Ridge area to prevent westward and southward advancement. A total of 185 personnel supported Upper Smith operations, including four hand crews, three helicopters, seven engines, six water tenders, four chippers, and two ambulances.
Porcupine Fire Confined in Steep Terrain
The Porcupine Fire, 7 miles north-northeast of Clark Fork, remained at 110 acres with zero containment. Cooler temperatures and overcast skies helped moderate fire behavior, with activity concentrated in unburned fuels within the fire’s interior.
Challenging terrain limited traditional suppression tactics. The fire’s location on steep slopes with cliffs and rock formations prevented direct fireline construction, requiring crews to focus on ridge-crossing prevention and limiting establishment on the southeast face.
Fire Danger Remains Extreme; Restrictions in Place
Fire danger across the region remained rated extreme, prompting ongoing restrictions on activities that could ignite new fires. Stage 2 fire restrictions were in effect in Bonner and Boundary counties, while Stage 1 restrictions applied in Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties.
“Hoot Owl” restrictions limited chainsaw and machinery operation between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m. in affected areas. Under Stage 2 restrictions, designated recreation areas permitted only fallen wood at least 3 feet in diameter.
The plateau in fire growth reflected the combination of containment infrastructure, personnel deployment, and favorable weather—though extreme fire danger conditions meant any wind shift or fuel-load change could accelerate spread. Regional fire officials continued monitoring both fires for changes in behavior and resource availability.
Related coverage: Bonner County Firefighters Battle Two Lightning-Caused Wildfires as Air Quality Degrades, Transmission Line Crews Deploy Heavy Equipment to Aid Wildfire Fight on Oregon-Idaho Border, and Wildfire Crews Scale Up Aerial and Ground Operations Across North Idaho.
What Comes Next
Crews will continue strengthening containment lines and monitoring residual hot spots on the Upper Smith Fire. The Porcupine Fire’s confinement in steep terrain and lack of containment suggest suppression efforts will remain focused on preventing ridge crossing rather than direct attack. Continued cooperation between local, state, and federal firefighting agencies will be essential as crews prepare for any shift in weather or fire behavior.