Ledges Fire – Current as of 9:30 AM PT on 5/3/2023

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 05/03/2023 11:23 AM MDT

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Fire Incident Information - Email Header

FIRE INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE 

For Immediate Release

May 3, 2023

Ledges Fire

Bonner County, Idaho – Crews from the Idaho Department of Lands and Selkirk Fire, Rescue and EMS are battling the Ledges Fire approximately 1.5 miles east of Highway 2, just south of the Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area.

The 20-acre fire started at approximately 8:30 pm yesterday evening and is currently uncontained and uncontrolled.

Five engines and 18 crew members fought the fire through the night and were relieved by fresh personnel this morning.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

If you live near the fire, do not fly drones. Should the need to use aircraft arise, the aircraft will be grounded if unauthorized drones are in the air, putting resources and the lives of fire personnel at risk.

If you plan to engage in a burning operation this spring, fire officials urge caution. If your fire escapes, and you are found negligently responsible, you will be held liable for the costs of suppressing the fire.

Following these simple, common-sense tips can help prevent your fire from escaping and limit your liability if something goes wrong.

General Burning Guidelines

A responsible adult is required by law to be in attendance until the fire is out.
Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10 feet of the outer edge of the pile.
Keep a water supply and shovel close to the burning site.
If it’s windy and the surrounding vegetation is dry, it may be best to wait and burn debris another day.
Keep your pile at a manageable size. Add additional debris slowly as the pile burns down.
Look up. Choose a safe site for burning that’s away from power lines, overhanging limbs, buildings, vehicles, and equipment.

More information about fire prevention and burning guidelines can be found at https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-prevention-and-preparedness/.

# # #

Find the latest IDL Fire updates on our website-based IDL Fire News Feed and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media contact: Scott Phillips, 208-334-0233, fireinformation@idl.idaho.gov

About IDL Fire: Ten Idaho Department of Lands Forest Protective Districts and two timber protective associations are responsible for fire prevention and protection on more than 9 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho. IDL fire suppression efforts focus on initial attack. The work of the IDL fire management program helps protect and preserve important endowment timber assets as well as millions of acres of private forestland. The program also enhances forest and rangeland management on state endowment trust lands by utilizing fire as a management tool and protects local communities from wildfire by reducing fuels.

Please DO NOT Reply to this email address, as this account is unattended.

For the most current information about wildfires on land protected by the Idaho Department of Lands, please visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-news-feed/.

Idaho Department of Lands in partnership with two Timber Protection Associations and with the support of rural volunteer fire departments and other partners, provides fire suppression and prevention on 6.3 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho. IDL focuses on initial attack with the goal of keeping fires at 10 acres or less. IDL protects and preserves important endowment timber assets that help fund Idaho schools and other beneficiaries, as well as millions of acres of private forestland.

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Idaho Department of Lands.