Firefighting crews working the Upper Smith Fire in Bonner County have pushed containment to 45 percent as of August 7, 2026, marking steady progress against a blaze that has kept nearly 200 personnel in the field. Fire activity has shifted to light and disorganized behavior, giving crews room to consolidate control lines and prepare for a leadership handoff.
Team Transition After Three Weeks on the Line
Northern Rockies Team 1, which managed the Upper Smith Fire for approximately three weeks, transferred operational control to Northern Rockies Team 9 on Thursday evening. Outgoing incident commander Brent Olson acknowledged the collaborative effort that defined the response, telling the Bonner County Daily Bee, “None of (our work) happens without partnership.”
Much of the fire’s recent activity has been concentrated in the Long Canyon area, where the fire has been backing and flanking into the 2015 Parker Ridge Fire scar — older, previously burned terrain that can slow active spread but still requires close monitoring. On Thursday, crews patrolled and secured control lines near Long Canyon Creek while aircraft flew over the fire’s edge to check progression and cool hotspots.
Patrol operations also extended along the western flank, with crews moving through avalanche chutes, and east along Smith Creek. Despite the improved containment numbers, smoke will remain a visible presence. Interior burning and possible smoke columns are expected to continue for the foreseeable future as the fire consumes material within its perimeter.
Resources Assigned and Area Closures in Effect
The suppression effort currently involves 197 personnel, supported by six helicopters, four hand crews, two engines, and seven water tenders. Temporary flight restrictions remain in effect over the fire area, covering both suppression aircraft operations and barring personal aircraft and drones from the airspace.
Several recreation and access corridors in the fire zone have been closed to the public. Smith Creek Road is shut to travel, the Long Canyon Trail is closed, and the Parker Ridge Trail is in the process of being closed. Residents and outdoor recreationists in the area should plan accordingly and avoid the affected drainages until officials lift the restrictions.
North Idaho has faced critical fire danger conditions this summer driven by heat and wind, and the Upper Smith Fire has been one of the most resource-intensive responses in the region. The fire’s behavior in the coming days will depend heavily on weather and the continued effort to hold existing containment lines during the management transition.
Porcupine Fire Also Burning in Bonner County
A separate fire is also active in Bonner County. The Porcupine Fire, located approximately two miles east of Porcupine Lake, has burned around 25 acres. Air resources are using Porcupine Lake as a dip site to support suppression operations on that fire. Details on containment status and crew assignments for the Porcupine Fire were not immediately available, but its proximity to the lake makes aerial water drops a central part of the response strategy.
The dual fire situation underscores the pressure facing firefighting resources across the North Idaho Panhandle this season. Emergency response efforts have drawn personnel from multiple states to address the regional wildfire crisis, and the Upper Smith Fire alone has required a sustained, weeks-long commitment of crews and aircraft.
What Comes Next
With Northern Rockies Team 9 now in command, firefighting operations on the Upper Smith Fire will continue to focus on securing and expanding containment lines, particularly around the Long Canyon drainage and along the Smith Creek corridor. The transition period will be closely watched as the incoming team familiarizes itself with fire behavior in the area.
Public land users should monitor official announcements for updates on trail and road closures, which may be adjusted as containment improves. The fire has already grown significantly from its earlier stages, and land managers are working to prevent further expansion while protecting the surrounding terrain and infrastructure.