Mandatory Evacuation Anticipated Soon
Officials overseeing suppression efforts on the Upper Smith Fire told residents at a community meeting Monday that evacuation orders in the threatened area are now a matter of “when,” not “if.” Boundary County Sheriff Travis Stolley said he anticipates recommending “Go” evacuation status within the next couple of days as crews battle the lightning-sparked blaze burning north of Bonners Ferry.
The fire, which ignited July 8, has grown to 1,518 acres and remains only 15 percent contained as of late last week. Northern Rockies Team 1, the incident management team coordinating suppression operations, is working to slow the fire’s advance and maintain defensive positions while preparing for the moment residents must leave the area.
Sheriff Stolley stressed that the evacuation decision rests on proximity of the fire to structures and the safety of residents, firefighters, and the general public. “I’m just asking for your consideration when we hit that Go status,” Stolley told the roughly 30 residents who attended the meeting. He made clear that while the sheriff’s office is not forcing anyone to leave, it will request evacuation to allow crews to safely conduct suppression operations without concern for civilian presence in the threatened zone.
Evacuation zones near Westside Road and Parker Road are currently at “Set” status, meaning residents should begin implementing their evacuation plans. A manned checkpoint is being established in the Westside Road area to facilitate orderly departure when the transition to “Go” status occurs.
Firefighting Strategy and Resource Deployment
A substantial firefighting force is deployed on the Upper Smith Fire, with 422 personnel assigned to the incident. That force includes 7 helicopters, 12 engines, 12 water tenders, 6 hand crews, and assorted heavy equipment. Crews are employing both direct and indirect attack strategies to slow the fire’s spread and protect structures in the path.
Helicopter water drops are slowing fire advance on the northern and eastern flanks, while aerial retardant drops are reinforcing defensive ridges on the southern and southeastern sides. On Monday, firefighters used heavy equipment, chippers, and hand crews to boost indirect fireline sections on the east side of the fire.
Operations Section Chief Scott Schrenk indicated that current tactical operations—moving the fire toward Smith Creek bottom and holding it there to assess for spot fires—could take two to three days. If the fire crosses a predetermined control point during that window, implementation of “Go” evacuation status becomes likely, triggering the mandatory departure order.
The fire is located approximately 6 miles west of Porthill and 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry.
Road Closures and Airspace Restrictions
Public travel restrictions are in effect across the fire area. Smith Creek Road and Long Canyon Trail are closed to public access. Parker Ridge Trail is in the process of being closed. The Copeland and Porthill boat launches remain open for public use.
Temporary flight restrictions are in effect over the fire, prohibiting non-essential aircraft from entering the airspace. Authorities have reported that private drones flown in the temporary flight restriction zone have interfered with suppression aircraft operations, preventing takeoffs and slowing firefighting efforts. Federal law prohibits unauthorized aircraft or drones from flying in restricted airspace during active firefighting operations. Violations carry penalties of up to $100,000 in fines and up to one year in federal prison.
The Upper Smith Fire is one of multiple significant fires in the Boundary County and North Idaho region. More information on the incident is available through local emergency management and the Northern Rockies Team 1 incident information office.
What Comes Next: Residents in the Westside Road and Parker Road evacuation zones should finalize evacuation plans and prepare to depart on short notice. Sheriff Stolley expects to issue a “Go” evacuation recommendation within days. Residents should monitor local emergency alerts and the incident information office for updates. Compliance with airspace restrictions and road closures is critical to firefighter safety and operational effectiveness. The next significant milestone will likely be a shift in evacuation status in the immediate future.