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Logging on slope of Bald Mountain meant to salvage timber, reduce infestation
Mountain Express, 8-11-23
A salvage logging operation undertaken on the east flank of Bald Mountain last fall by the Idaho Department of Lands left impacts visible from public hiking trails in the area.
Proceeds from timber sold from the cutting will be used to support Idaho public schools.
Idaho Department of Lands Public Information Officer Sharla Arledge said the timber stand on the Public Schools Endowment-owned parcel, along with trees on adjacent federal and private lands, were infested with Douglas-fir beetles that were killing the larger trees in the stand.
“This was not a clear cut,” Arledge said. “The larger Douglas fir trees were removed as they are the preferred host for the beetles. Healthy smaller Douglas fir trees were left to provide both seeds and shelter to encourage a new stand.”
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Idaho Land Board member, and state official, gets his Red Card to help visit Idaho fires
KMVT 8-8-23
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Idaho’s secretary of state Phil McGrane is responsible for election results, business services, and government services to name a few.
McGrane’s job also gives him a spot on the Idaho department of lands land board. The board overseas over two million acres of endowment land that produces a profit from lumber to support things like public schools and jails.
One of the other things the Idaho Department of Lands is responsible for is firefighting contracts and their own team of firefighters.
Which now includes McGrane.
“I took the opportunity to go in with all the new recruits this year and go through fire school. So, I went through the entire same process as all the guys who are out working in the field right now fighting some of the fires up in Hayden or up above Ola and get to go work through them.” McGrane said, “I had the opportunity to go up to Idaho City and dig line and put out a practice fire just like the rest of the crew.”
McGrane thought it was important to learn what goes into protecting the endowment land, and what resources they need. It gives him a unique opportunity to see and experience what the men and women who fight fires give up summers to do.
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Have you seen pouches stapled to forest trees? They’re designed to trick ‘tree murderers’
Idaho Statesman, 8-7-23
Bark beetles are only about the size of a grain of rice. But for such tiny critters, they can take a big bite out of the forest.
There are more than 100 species of bark beetles in Idaho, said Gina Davis, entomologist and group leader at the Coeur d’Alene Field Office for the U.S. Forest Service, in a phone interview with the Idaho Statesman. Closely related bark beetle species look very similar. Mountain pine beetle, western pine beetle, and Douglas-fir beetle are all in the same genus (Dendroctonus — loosely translated from Greek as “tree murderer”), and you’d be hard pressed to tell them apart. Even different families of insects can sometimes look very similar in the larval stage.
But bark beetles are relatively host specific, meaning they’ll only attack one or a few species of trees. For instance, Douglas-fir beetles will attack Douglas fir trees; Western pine beetles will attack ponderosa pine trees; and mountain pine beetles can attack a small range of different pine trees.
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Idaho Land Board member, and state official, gets his Red Card to help battle Idaho fires
KMVT, 8-5-23
BOISE, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) —Idaho’s secretary of state Phil McGrane is responsible for election results, business services, and government services to name a few.
McGrane’s job also gives him a spot on the Idaho department of lands land board. The board overseas over two million acres of endowment land that produces a profit from lumber to support things like public schools and jails.
One of the other things the Idaho Department of Lands is responsible for is firefighting contracts and their own team of firefighters.
Which now includes McGrane.
READ MORE
FIRE COVERAGE
Firefighters work to restore Parkway Fire damage
KXLY, 8-10-23
POST FALLS, ID. — The Parkway Fire in Post Falls burned 80 acres. It is completely contained and no buildings were damaged, but the destruction of land is now a concern.
It's been nearly a week since the start of Parkway Fire and Q'emiln Park is still closed. People are ready to go back on the trails, but fire crews say it's still too dangerous.
Crews are picking the dirt and turning over logs to make sure there aren't any hot spots underneath the ground.
Many trees along Q'emiln Park trails are burned and are at risk of falling. Crews are working to take down what they consider to be 'hazardous trees.' Firefighters are currently mopping up for about 14 hours a day. A fire warden with the Idaho Department of Lands says they are doing their due diligence to make sure the park is safe to reopen.
"Making sure the trails systems are clear of any debris or any trees that have fallen over and at the same time, making sure there still aren't standing fire-weakened trees that could fall over the trails at some point," Terry Zufelt, Fire Warden—Mica, Idaho Department of Lands said.
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Commissioners declare emergency for Parkway Fire
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-11-23
The Kootenai County Board of Commissioners has declared a state of emergency in the wake of the Parkway Fire.
Commissioners unanimously approved the emergency declaration resolution during a brief meeting Thursday.
“We saw the way and the direction that fire was going. We had residents’ lives and structures at risk,” said Tiffany Westbrook, director of the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management. "We felt it necessary to move toward the disaster declaration due to, obviously, protection of life and property, but also the potential financial implications of some of the resources needed to help with this fire suppression."
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Fire restrictions within Idaho State Parks
KIFI, 8-9-23
BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) - As areas of Idaho move to Stage 2 fire restrictions and as Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) implemented open fire bans due to poor air quality, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) will implement the ban on campfires and will also be banning propane- fueled fire rings.
As of Wednesday, most of Idaho’s north region state parks are banning campfires and propane-fueled fire rings. Propane grills and cooking stoves are still permitted at this time.
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Fire danger prompts Stage II fire restrictions across North Idaho
Moderate to severe drought conditions coupled with persistent high temperatures have contributed to the decision to raise fire restrictions to Stage II across North Idaho fire districts. These lands include those managed or administered by the U.S. Forest Service; Idaho Panhandle National Forests; Bureau of Land Management; the Coeur d’Alene Tribe; the Idaho Department of Lands; and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai and Shoshone counties.
Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
The fire danger rating has been listed at “extreme” across North Idaho since July 31, and has not changed, with multiple geographic areas experiencing large wildfires.
Under Stage II fire restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on restricted private, tribal, state, and federally managed or protected lands, roads and trails:
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Level 2 fire restrictions implemented in Coeur d'Alene
KXLY, 8-9-23
COEUR D'ALENE, ID. — Low precipitation and high temperatures have raised the fire danger to very high across North Idaho.
These dangers triggered Level Two fire restrictions in all five Idaho Panhandle counties.
At River Walk RV Park in Coeur d'Alene, a few residents knew about the restrictions. A manager said for safety reasons he would be letting everybody know.
He said not many tenants have fires on the lot. There is just one fire pit and it hasn't been used in a while. A fire information officer with the Panhandle National Forest said some of the most dangerous fires are human-caused. This is because they are often in places near people and homes.
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Winchester Lake State Park is Listed Among Parks with Current Campfire Bans
Big Country News, 8-9-23
IDAHO - As areas of Idaho move to Stage 2 fire restrictions and as the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) implemented open fire bans due to poor air quality, the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) will implement the ban on campfires and will also be banning propane-fueled fire rings.
As of Wednesday, most of Idaho’s north region state parks (listed below) are banning campfires and propane-fueled fire rings. Propane grills and cooking stoves are still permitted at this time.
Currently, the only other portion of Idaho with fire restrictions is Central Idaho at Stage 1. While this does not prohibit campfires or propane-fueled fire rings, fires are only allowed within permitted fire rings.
We are acting by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) air quality restrictions and regional Forest Service/Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) fire bans,” said Chelsea Chambers, Public Information Specialist at IDPR. “This is being implemented to help protect our resources and quality of life.”
Current Parks with Campfire and Propane-Fueled Fire Ring Bans:
- Priest Lake State Park
- Round Lake State Park
- Farragut State Park
- Heyburn State Park
- McCroskey State Park
- Winchester Lake State Park
For more information and the latest updates on Fire Restrictions, click here to visit IDL's Fire Map.
EDITORIAL: Now showing: North Idaho Spirit
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-9-23
This show is so good, we’re listing the full credits first.
Avista Utilities
City of Post Falls Departments (Parks, Recreation, Public Works, Streets, Police)
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
There are even more protagonists in this action thriller — many Post Falls businesses and individuals who helped in a variety of ways — but it's time to open the curtains on the show itself.
The Parkway Fire, which posed a tremendous threat to Post Falls persons and property last weekend, was controlled and quashed before Mother Nature could muster the worst from her menacing arsenal. The attack on the fire came from the ground…
“From the moment the Parkway Fire was discovered, it was all hands on deck,” said Idaho Department of Lands incident commander Nate Rogers, who then credited the agencies above for immediate — and massive — response.
And the assault on the blaze also came from the air…
READ MORE
Pet bird lost Parkland Fire reunited with family
KIVI, 8-9-23
The Idaho Department of Lands has posted that a bird, who had apparently taken flight after feeling threatened by the Parkland Fire near Post Falls, has now been reunited with its family.
Fire danger raised to 'Very High' in Kootenai County with Stage 2 restrictions
KREM2, 8-8-23
KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho — As fire danger rises in North Idaho, Kootenai County will implement Stage 2 fire restrictions Wednesday, August 9. The restrictions come as fire danger in Kootenai County has now reached "VERY HIGH."
Those restrictions include prohibiting the use of chainsaws or other tools powered by internal combustion engines for felling, bucking, skidding processing, woodcutting and firewood gathering from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. each day.
Other activities that produce flames or flammable material are also prohibited during the same time frame.
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Fire danger "Very High" in North Idaho, fire restrictions effective August 9
KXLY, 8-8-23
HAYDEN, ID. — Fire danger is "Very High" according to the Northern Lakes Fire Protection District.
As a result of the "Very High" Fire Danger, effective this Wednesday, August 9, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions will go into effect on all lands in the five counties in North Idaho, outside of city limits.
Here is what is prohibited when Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect, according to the Idaho Department of Lands:
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Parkway Fire in Post Falls, Idaho reaches 100% containment; investigation into cause continues
KBOI2, 8-8-23
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho Department of Lands reports that the Parkway Fire in Post Falls, Idaho, is now at 100% containment.
Crews battled the blaze, which threatened structures and private property in the Post Falls area, and were able to keep the fire at 80 acres. An aggressive early-stage air attack allowed ground crews to focus their efforts on structure protection. “From the moment the Parkway Fire was discovered, it was all hands on deck,” said incident commander Nate Rogers.
Aided by cooler temperatures and humidity levels, crews were able to aggressively attack the fire and establish containment after four days. The type 3 incident management team and several other Idaho Lands personnel will be demobilized from the scene, according to IDL, and made available for additional fire incidents elsewhere. Local and district crews will assume command and continue until the fire is called "out."
Parkway Fire 100% Contained
Big Country News, 8-8-23
POST FALLS – The objectives of keeping citizens and firefighters safe, losing no structures, and 100% containment were accomplished for the Parkway Fire due to collaboration.
The effort required four intense days of aggressive, but safe, fire suppression.
“From the moment the Parkway Fire was discovered, it was all hands on deck,” said incident commander Nate Rogers. “Kootenai County Fire & Rescue, the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Kootenai County Emergency Management, Post Falls Police Department and so many more contributed to this success, saving lives and property.”
Officials seek information in cause of Parkway Fire
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-7-23
The Idaho Department of Lands is seeking information regarding the cause of the Parkway Fire that began Friday afternoon in Q’emiln Park, Post Falls Police reported this morning.
An unattended campfire caused the Parkway Fire, which started Friday and has burned roughly 80 acres in Post Falls so far, according to a Sunday social media post by the Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office.
"If we can find out who that person is, we'll go after them civilly," Idaho Department of Lands Communications Chief Scott Phillips told The Press.
The Idaho Department of Lands' standard policy is to pursue a civil case if negligence is determined to be a factor in the start of a blaze, Phillips said, to recoup the cost of fire suppression, which comes from the general fund.
"The negligence of the person or persons involved have caused great damage to a city park that will take years to recover from," Post Falls Police said in a news release. "The Post Falls Police Department is committed to thoroughly investigating this fire and holding the person or persons responsible for this negligent act."
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Campfire started 80-acre blaze in Post Falls Community Forest
Spokeman-Review, 8-7-23
Investigators say a fire that forced evacuations in Post Falls on Friday was started by an illegal campfire not properly extinguished.
The fire was first discovered in the Post Falls Community Forest just before 2:30 p.m. Friday. It burned 80 acres before evacuation orders were lifted Sunday.
Though no homes or structures were lost in the blaze, officials say it was a close call.
“Flames came within 50 feet of some structures,” said Scott Phillips, policy and communications chief at the Idaho Department of Lands.
The campfire was in a steep, wooded and rocky area of the forest about a quarter mile north of West River Drive, Post Falls police said in a news release. The site is south of the Spokane River near the Post Falls Dam.
The fire was set in a ring of rocks, Post Falls Police Capt. Mark Brantl said. Though campfires were approved in premade metal rings prior to a fire ban instituted Monday, no such rings exist at the Post Falls Community Forest.
Post Falls police promised to conduct a thorough investigation to find the person or people who started the fire. Those with information can call the Post Falls Police Department at (208) 773-3517 or email tips to detectives@postfallspolice.gov.
Starting Wednesday, campfires will be banned in all areas outside of cities within Idaho’s five northern counties due to dry conditions.
Idaho wildfires reach 50% containment: Unattended campfire triggers Parkway Fire, caution urged in outdoor activities
KLEW, 8-7-23
As of today, the Midnight Fire is 50 % contained and 179 acres in size.
With the help of rain some relief has been given to not only the fire but crews and the landscape. Fire crews continue to mop-up and assess the area as lightning happens periodically.
As of right now, there are no road closures in place, but drivers are encouraged to avoid the area around Peasley Creek Drainage Road due to equipment traffic and poor visibility.
Another fire that is 50 % contained is the Parkway Fire located in the Post Falls Community Forest. This fire started on Friday due to a campfire being left unattended.
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Campfire caused Parkway Fire in Post Falls, authorities say
KHQ, 8-7-23
POST FALLS, Idaho - An unattended campfire caused a brushfire which ballooned to 80 acres, prompting Level 3 evacuations for nearby residents and causing major damage to a Post Falls city park over the weekend.
Just before 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 4, a fire was reported near Q'emilin Park, rapidly growing and threatening nearby homes and structures. Multiple agencies worked to suppress the blaze while evacuation levels rose. The Red Cross opening an emergency shelter at Mullan Trail Elementary school for residents forced to leave.
Due to persistent efforts, the firefighters were able to stop the fire's spread at 80 acres, lowering evacuations on Sunday and allowing residents to return. No structures were lost in the fire.
READ MORE
Fire danger prompts Stage II fire restrictions across North Idaho
Bonner County Daily Bee, 8-6-23
SANDPOINT - Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, Stage II Fire Restrictions will be in effect on lands managed or administered by the U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Panhandle National Forests, the Bureau of Land Management, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone Counties.
This also includes National Forest System lands in Washington and Montana that are administered by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
Moderate to severe drought conditions coupled with persistent high temperatures have raised the fire danger rating to very high and extreme across northern Idaho. The local Coeur d’Alene dispatch area recently saw an increase to Preparedness Level 4 out of 5, and conditions nationally are Preparedness Level 3. This means multiple geographic areas are experiencing large wildfires, suppression resources are being carefully prioritized, and the majority of other firefighting personnel and equipment are committed to wildland fire incidents. These conditions have prompted Stage II fire restrictions to be implemented in accordance with the criteria established in the 2023 Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan for all lands within the Coeur d’Alene Dispatch area.
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Interagency Fire Management Group Determines Grangeville Fire Restrictions
Daily Fly, 8-6-23
KAMIAH – There are currently no restrictions in the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area of Idaho, even though the current conditions are very close to meeting some of the criteria for implementing them. Local Fire Managers from the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT), Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protection Association (CPTPA), and United States Forest Service (USFS) met Friday morning to discuss whether to move into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area. Idaho Fire Restrictions Finder
This interagency fire management group made the collective decision not to implement any fire restrictions for the Grangeville Area at this time, based on our current weather forecast and recent successes with initial attack. Fire restrictions coordination and management follow the same foundation within dispatch area boundaries. When Fire Managers and Agency Administrators representing the jurisdictions within an area agree that the conditions warrant a restriction, the entire area will be placed in a restricted status. When Land Managers and Agency Administrators agree that the restrictions for that area can be removed, the entire area will rescind restrictions as a whole.
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Parkway Fire 50% contained
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-6-23
POST FALLS – With the Parkway Fire burning in Q’emiln Park 50% contained as of Sunday night, officials expressed hope to see the 80-acre blaze extinguished soon.
“We had a big, busy, great day,” Idaho Department of Lands Communications Chief Scott Phillips said Sunday. “We’ve really made tremendous progress.”
After two days of heavy air attack, no aircraft were deployed Sunday, but 110 personnel worked on the fire. Overnight rain played a supporting role for firefighters combating the blaze.
“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,” Parkway Fire incident commander Nate Rogers said in a news release Sunday. “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.”
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All evacuations lifted for people near Parkway Fire in Post Falls
KHQ, 8-6-23
POST FALLS, ID. — People living near the Parkway Fire in Post Falls can now return to their homes.
Thanks to the overnight rain and work from firefighters, Kootenai County Fire & Rescue said as of 8 a.m. Sunday morning, all evacuations have been lifted for people near the Parkway Fire.
The fire is 50% contained, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
Kootenai County Fire & Rescue says all evacuations and restrictions are lifted, and all roads are now open. They say firefighters will still be working on the fire over the next few days. Temporary signs will also be placed to slow traffic down on Riverview Drive and inside Q'emiln Park.
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Parkway Fire in Post Falls Idaho Now 50% Contained, Cause Determined
Big Country News, 8-6-23
POST FALLS - Investigators from the Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office have revealed that the cause behind the devastating Parkway Fire, which has scorched approximately 80 acres just outside Post Falls, is an unattended campfire. The fire, which led to temporary evacuations of nearby residents, serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to exercise responsible fire management.
As of the latest report, the wildfire, previously responsible for the evacuation of local residents, has now been successfully contained to 50%. This encouraging development was achieved through the combined efforts of fire officials and personnel, who took advantage of favorable weather conditions to create a fireline and hose perimeter around the blaze. These significant strides have paved the way for a comprehensive mop-up operation in the forthcoming days.
Following two days of intensive air attacks, today saw a shift in strategy, with no aircraft deployed. Nonetheless, a team of 110 dedicated personnel remained steadfast in their efforts to quell the fire's progress.
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Evacuation orders lifted after overnight rain allows firefighters to gain upper hand on wildfire
Idaho State Journal, 8-5-23
POST FALLS — Evacuation orders were lifted Sunday morning for a fire that started Friday in Post Falls after overnight rain helped firefighters battling the blaze.
The Idaho Department of Lands said the 80-acre fire south of the Spokane River near Q’Emiln Park has not burned any structures, and no injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire, which broke out Friday afternoon near a dam operated by Avista Corp., is still under investigation.
Thunderstorms could affect progress as firefighters battle Parkway Fire
KXLY, 8-5-23
POST FALLS, ID. — The Parkway fire in Post Falls has now burned 80 acres, and evacuation levels from Friday night are still in place.
Thankfully, no homes have been damaged and no injuries have been reported so far.
The fire is 10% contained.
One of the biggest concerns firefighters had about this fire was the potential for wind and thunderstorms, which could pop up Saturday night.
"We do have some concerns about weather today and we're going to be monitoring that regularly," said Chris Way, fire chief with Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. "There are the chance of thunderstorms. We love the idea of rain, but we hate the idea of wind and lightning at this point."
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Currently No Restrictions in the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area
Big Country News, 8-5-23
KAMIAH – There are currently no restrictions in the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area of Idaho, even though the current conditions are very close to meeting some of the criteria for implementing them. Local Fire Managers from the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT), Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Clearwater Potlatch Tiber Protection Association (CPTPA), and United States Forest Service (USFS) met Friday morning to discuss whether to move into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area.
This inter-agency fire management group made the collective decision not to implement any fire restrictions for the Grangeville Area at this time, based our current weather forecast and recent successes with initial attack. Fire restrictions coordination and management follows the same foundation within dispatch area boundaries. When Fire Managers and Agency Administrators representing the jurisdictions within an area agree that the conditions warrant a restriction, the entire area will be placed in a restricted status. When Land Managers and Agency Administrators agree that the restrictions for that area can be removed, the entire area will rescind restrictions as a whole.
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Parkway Fire sparks evacuations in Post Falls
KIVI, 8-5-23
POST FALLS, Idaho — Firefighters responded to a fire in the Post Falls Community Forest on August 5, holding it to an estimated 80 acres overnight while they issued an evacuation notice for at-risk areas.
No structures have been lost, although some are currently threatened. The Idaho Department of Lands is employing a full suppression strategy, including two helicopters, four engines, and three fire crews.
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Parkway Fire grows to 80 acres over night near Post Falls
KBOI2, 8-5-23
Post Falls, ID (CBS2) — The Idaho Department of Lands said in an update that the Parkway fire which started on August 4, burning near Post Falls is holding steady after growing to an estimated 80 acres overnight.
The fire is currently burning in steep terrain with heavy timber fueling the fire above the Spokane River near the Post Falls dam and is 0% contained.
Kootenai County Sheriff's Office did issue an evacuation notice on Friday for the surrounding area that is still in effect.
The Idaho Department of Lands has two helicopters that are aggressively attacking the fire from the air, four engines, three hand crews and a dozer currently working on the fire. They also say there are fixed-wing aircraft on standby if they need them.
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Parkway Fire Incident
Big Country News, 8-5-23
POST FALLS – This morning an Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Type 3 Incident Management Team lead by incident commander Nate Rogers assumed command of the Parkway Fire. The fire is burning in a steep, heavily timbered above the Spokane River, near the dam at Post Falls.
Evacuation notices issued yesterday by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office remain in effect. For current evacuation information please visit the Kootenai County Emergency Management website or Facebook page.
Overnight, firefighters held the fire to an estimated 80 acres. It is 0% contained. Although threatened by the fire, no structures were lost.
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Parkway Fire 10% contained
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-5-23
Fire crews held the Parkway Fire in Q’emlin Park at 80 acres and reached 10% containment Saturday.
The fire, which began Friday at the Greensferry trailhead, burned in a steep, heavily timbered area above the Spokane River, near the Post Falls dam.
Evacuations were lifted around 7 p.m. Saturday for the residential area just south of Q’emiln Park. Evacuations remained in place along Riverview Terrace and in the forest west of the park.
Early weather projections Friday and Saturday warned of possible thunderstorms, which didn’t materialize.
“Other than dropping buckets of rain, the weather really cooperated with our efforts today,” Idaho Department of Lands Communications Chief Scott Phillips said.
IDL coordinated Saturday’s attack on the fire with two helicopters, four engines, three crews with around 20 men and a dozer.
The night crew was reduced to two engines and fewer firefighters until daylight.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
READ MORE
Level 1 and 2 evacuation issued for brush fire near Q’emiln Park in Post Falls
Fox 28, 8-4-23
Kootenai County Fire Rescue released that their crews, along with Idaho Department of Lands air and ground crews, are still working aggressively on the fire.
They have estimated the Parkway fire to be at 20 acres in size. They are beginning to gain containment and are making significant impact.
There are no new evacuations at this time and are working to protect all the structures in the area.
They will be providing another update at 9:00 p.m.
Updated August 4 at 7:10 p.m.
The level 3 evacuation is still issued. People in the area need to leave immediately. There is a Red Cross evacuation center open at the Mullan Trail Elementary School.
The fire has increased to 18 acres and there are about 20 – 30 homes in the area threatened by the fire. The fire is still at 0% containment.
We have learned that this was originally two separate fires that have combined into one. It is still estimated to be about 16 acres big.
READ MORE
All evacuations lifted for brush fire near Q'emiln Park in Post Falls
KHQ, 8-7-23
POST FALLS, Idaho — Investigators from the Idaho State Marshal's Office are searching for a suspect accused of starting an unattended campfire that ultimately led to the Parkway Fire.
Investigators originally believed the fire was started by a criminal act. Upon further investigation they determined the fire was caused by the unattended camp fire.
If you have any information about who may have been responsible, you are urged to call the Idaho Department of Lands office.
Last Updated: Aug 6 at 9:40 p.m.
All evacuations and restrictions on the Parkway Fire were lifted Sunday morning, according to Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.
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Evacuations lifted for Parkway Fire in Post Falls, Idaho State Fire Marshal believes fire was criminal act
KREM, 8-4-23
POST FALLS, Idaho — All evacuations remain have been dropped near Q'emiln Park in Post Falls after crews surrounded the 80-acre Parkway fire. In an update on August 6, the Idaho Department of Lands said the fire is 50% contained.
According to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), Type 3 Incident Management Team, the Parkway fire began burning in a steep, and heavily timbered above the Spokane River, near the dam at Post Falls. Firefighters are working to mop up the fire.
No structures have been lost. Officials estimate 20-30 homes were evacuated at the time of evacuations.
Wildfire forces evacuations in Post Falls
Coeur d'Alene Press, 8-4-23
POST FALLS — A wildfire ignited on the south side of Q'emiln Park around 2 p.m. Friday grew to 60 acres by 8 p.m. prompting the evacuation of more than 100 homes.
“Unfortunately the fire is believed to be moving toward residences and not away from them,” Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said.
Due to winds and weather conditions, all residents from Riverview Drive and Riverview Terrace north to the Spokane River were affected by a Level 3 “GO” evacuation as of 8:35 p.m., according to a notice from Kootenai County Emergency Management.
“It will remain this way overnight and will be reassessed in the morning,” the notification said.
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Evacuations upgraded for wildfire burning near Q'emlin Park
KXLY, 8-4-23
POST FALLS, Idaho -- Evacuations have been upgraded for residents living near the Parkway Fire in Post Falls.
Level 3 evacuations -- meaning LEAVE NOW -- are in place for all residents from Riverview Drive and Riverview Terrace north up to the Spokane River.
Level 2 evacuations -- meaning BE READY TO LEAVE AT A MOMENT'S NOTICE -- are in place for the surrounding areas between W. Riverview Dr. and the Spokane River.
The area south of the Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations are under Level 1 evacuations -- meaning BE PREPARED TO LEAVE.
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Fire Cache in Coeur d'Alene Needs a Helping Hand
Posted August 10, 2023
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Our Fire Cache in Coeur d'Alene Needs Helping Hands TODAY!
We're hiring seasonal team members to assist with refurbishing equipment used on recent fires.
· Washing hoses
· Boxing up supplies
· Loading and offloading trucks
· Pressure testing water handling equipment
· And much more...
Currently, work hours are 7:00 am – 5:30 pm, 6 days a week with one scheduled day off per week. The jobs pay $17.92 per hour and are eligible for overtime!
Please email your resume and cover letter to careers@idl.idaho.gov. Write the phrase "Fire Cache Staff Position" in the subject line of your email.
Minimum Qualifications
· Must have a valid driver's license.
Desired Qualifications
· Experience driving forklifts.
· Experience driving 24’ box trucks.
A Gift for Smokey Bear
Posted August 9, 2023
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Here's a simple gift you can give Smokey Bear for his 79th birthday: do your part and encourage others to help prevent wildfires!
Feathered Friend Reunited
Posted August 9, 2023
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We’ve heard this feathered friend has been reunited with its owners!
The bird apparently took flight during the Parkway Fire near Post Falls and now deserves a new nickname, Phoenix!
#ParkwayFire2023
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