Only you can prevent forest fires

Wildfire season has once again arrived in North Idaho, but thanks to some wetter than average conditions, it’s here a little later than we’ve seen in the past.

Idaho Panhandle National Forest (IPNF) Public Information Officer Kary Maddox explained that heavy winter snowpack and spring precipitation have brought a welcomed delay to fire season, but numerous storms and neglectful humans have seemingly done its best to kick things off.

“In the last week, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests have responded to 12 wildfire starts,” she said in a news release. “Most have been from the plentiful lightning seen across the area, but a few have been abandoned campfires.”

While the vast majority of these fires have been minor incidents that were roughly 1/10 of an acre in size, this doesn't mean that a major incident cannot occur at any moment.

Wildland firefighters are currently battling the Diamond Watch Fire, located 5.5 miles due west of Nordman. As of July 21, the lightning-caused blaze has burned approximately 3.5 acres on the northeast side of Diamond Peak in Pend Oreille County, Wash.

“There are no closures or evacuations associated with this fire at this time,” Maddox said, ”but please be aware of fire traffic on Forest Service Road 1362 and FSR 308.”

As it sits now, fire danger across the Idaho Panhandle is “moderate” in all areas. This means that fires can start from most accidental causes, but with the exception of lightning fires in some areas, the number of starts is generally low.

“Fires in open cured grasslands will burn briskly and spread rapidly on windy days,” Maddox said. “Timber fires spread slowly to moderately fast. The average fire is of moderate intensity, although heavy concentrations of fuel, especially draped fuel, may burn hot. Short-distance spotting may occur, but is not persistent. Fires are not likely to become serious and control is relatively easy.”

Maddox explains that a good indicator of wildfire risk (and one of the main factors that influences Fire Danger Rating) is called the energy release component (ERC). The ERC is a number related to the available energy (BTU) per unit area (square foot) within the flaming front at the head of a fire. The ERC is considered a composite fuel moisture index as it reflects the contribution of all live and dead fuels to potential fire intensity. As live fuels cure and dead fuels dry, the ERC will increase and can be described as a build-up index.

“Last year around this time, several areas across the Idaho Panhandle set record high ERC’s. This year, we have seen record lows. That being said, July and August temperatures and precipitation have much more influence on wildfire potential than spring weather does.”

Although the Panhandle is not yet seeing the smoke and large fires that have dominated many recent summers, that is no reason to shurk wildfire preparedness.

When lightning is forecasted, Maddox said fire managers keep a close eye on the lightning map to focus patrols in a specific area and they can also order a detection flight.

Detection flights consist of a qualified aerial observer riding in a fixed-wing aircraft flying a predetermined grid or the lightning map, depending on time and priorities. Aerial observers relay detailed information to our interagency dispatch center in Coeur d'Alene, then District Duty Officers prioritize incidents for initial attack firefighters.

On average though, human-caused wildfires makeup 87% of all wildfire occurrences annually.

“We are lucky to not have a dominant trend in human-caused fire starts in North Idaho, but they are still consistently occurring,” Maddox said. “Although in the minority so far, human-caused starts are often in areas with the highest potential to threaten life and home. Check your chains, dispose of cigarettes properly, and never leave a campfire unattended.”

To report a wildfire, call 208-772-3283 or 911. If you would like information on current wildfires on the IPNF, call the Fire Info Line at 208-557-8813.

If you have not done so already, IPNF recommends signing up for emergency alerts through your county. If you’re looking to develop an evacuation plan, evaluate your landscaping, or even learn about fire ecology and management, those topics and more can be found on idahofirewise.org.