New Fire Activity Complicates Containment Efforts in Bonner County
Firefighters discovered two spot fires near the eastern flank of the Upper Smith Fire on Thursday morning as containment efforts continue on the blaze that has consumed roughly 1,767 acres in Bonner County since mid-July.
The first spot fire, located near a hydroelectric plant, was extinguished before it could expand beyond the size of a quarter-acre crew assignment. A second spot fire, estimated at 7 acres, prompted crews to work toward establishing a containment line by Thursday evening at 5 p.m., according to incident management officials.
The Upper Smith Fire began on July 8 following a lightning strike that struck overnight between July 7 and 8. As of Thursday, the fire remained 13% contained, with no containment lines lost during the firefighting operation.
A total of 406 personnel are assigned to suppression efforts. The incident command has deployed substantial resources, including 6 helicopters, 10 hand crews, 12 engines, 13 water tenders, and assorted heavy equipment to combat the spread.
Weather Conditions Present Continued Risk
Incident commanders cite weather as a significant challenge to containment. A fire weather watch remains in effect through 11 p.m. Saturday, with forecasters predicting strong winds and low humidity levels that could accelerate fire behavior.
According to Trevor Unsworth, an official with the incident command, downslope winds late Wednesday night pushed some fire activity across established perimeter lines. However, Unsworth noted that much of the fire activity near Smith Creek is burning itself out naturally, which he characterized as “super good” progress.
The fire has extended toward Smith Creek, where crews are actively monitoring for further spread. Crews are also checking fire behavior in areas where containment lines are still being constructed.
Evacuation Orders, Closures, and Access Restrictions
Residents in the affected area remain under “Go” evacuation status, meaning immediate evacuation is advised. An evacuation order was issued Tuesday afternoon as a precautionary measure. The Boundary County Fairgrounds has been designated as a rally point for evacuees.
Deputies are manning a roadblock at the intersection of Big Bend and Kerr Lake roads to manage access to the fire zone. Smith Creek Road and Long Canyon Trail have been closed to public access. Parker Ridge Trail closure is in process.
Temporary flight restrictions prohibit private drones and aircraft from operating in the fire area. The Federal Aviation Administration restrictions carry serious penalties: unauthorized drone or aircraft operations carry a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to one year in federal prison.
What Comes Next
Firefighting crews will continue working to contain the two new spot fires and prevent further breaches of the main perimeter. Weather conditions through Saturday remain a critical variable in containment progress. Incident officials will reassess evacuation status as containment percentages increase.
For the latest updates on the Upper Smith Fire, residents can monitor official incident information channels and local law enforcement updates. The fire remains active, and public cooperation with access restrictions and evacuation orders is essential to firefighter safety and successful suppression.