Wildfire Alert: Parkway Fire – Current as of 6:00 PM PT on 8/6/2023

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 08/06/2023 07:31 PM MDT

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Fire Incident Information - Email Header

Parkway Fire 50% Contained, Mop Up Underway

This evening fire officials announced the 80-acre Parkway Fire is now 50% contained. Buoyed by favorable weather, crews made tremendous progress by fully encircling the fire’s perimeter with fireline and hose. Today’s successes have laid the foundation for a thorough mop up operation in coming days.

After two days of heavy air attack, no aircraft were deployed today, but 110 personnel worked on the incident.

“The aggressive use of air attack on Friday and Saturday was crucial for protecting structures and providing our firefighters on the ground the opportunity to build containment,” explained Parkway Fire incident commander Nate Rogers. “Given the relief provided by the weather, we knew freeing these air resources for deployment elsewhere would have the greatest positive impact for North Idaho.”

No structures have been damaged or lost.

Citizen and firefighter safety remains the top priority. “Crews are continuing to remove hazard trees in the Post Falls Community Forest,” said Rogers.

After a flurry of social media posts urging onlookers to avoid Riverside Drive, and the closure of the Community Forest and Q’emiln Park by the Post Falls Police Department, officials reported traffic in the area subsided.

For your safety, please continue to steer clear of Riverside Drive, the Community Forest and Q’emiln Park.

“The Parkway Fire had the potential to turn catastrophic, but didn’t because of the tireless work of our state, federal, and especially our local partners,” said Rogers. “We’re grateful for their help.”

The list of partners collaborating on the incident includes:

Avista Utilities
City of Post Falls
Idaho Department of Lands
Idaho State Police
Kootenai County 911 Dispatch Center
Kootenai County Emergency Management
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office
Post Falls Police Department
Post Falls Highway District
U.S. Forest Service
And the many individuals and businesses who volunteered and donated to the effort

The cause of the Parkway Fire remains under investigation. The next update for this incident will publish tomorrow morning.

Find Information About the Parkway Fire

IDL Wildfire Alerts – www.idl.idaho.gov/alerts
IDL Fire News Feed – www.idl.idaho.gov/fire
Kootenai County Emergency Management Website – www.kcsheriff.com/186/Emergency-Management
Kootenai County Emergency Management Facebook - www.facebook.com/kootenaiOEM/
Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Facebook - www.facebook.com/KootenaiCountyFireandRescue/

View the location of the Parkway Fire on IDL’s Idaho Fire Map

https://gis1.idl.idaho.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=49bc88dc5e144ae2b3cd60a726168377&extent=-13022089.528%2C6056466.3977%2C-13020298.0351%2C6057899.592%2C102100

Incident Contact

Scott Phillips

Public Information Officer

208-713-6487

Most wildfires are caused by humans. Be part of the solution – learn how!

· Be aware of and follow all fire restrictions

· During closed burn season, before burning debris apply for a free burn permit – it’s the law

· Use campfires safely by staying clear of flammable debris and burning on mineral soil

· Maintain vehicles and OHVs properly – especially their tires - so you don’t spark a fire

· Secure trailer chains so they don’t drag and cause a fire

· Never park over dry grass because hot exhaust systems can start a fire

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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 more than 9 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.

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