Wildfire Alert: Parkway Fire – Current as of 5:00 PM PT on 8/7/2023

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 08/07/2023 06:47 PM MDT

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

Fire Incident Information - Email Header

Fire Officials Report Parkway Fire 80% Contained, IDL

Type 3 Incident Management Team Likely to Demobilize Tomorrow

Post Falls, Idaho – After an incredible day of effort by firefighters battling the Parkway Fire, officials reported the incident is 80% contained. Crews held the fire to 80 acres.

Relief from cooler weather and higher humidity allowed firefighters to mop up distances ranging from 100’ to 200’ inward around the entire perimeter of the fire. In places with extremely high life and property values, crews will mop up distances ranging from 200 to 330 feet into the black fire area.

Given the significant containment gains and near-term forecast for cooler weather, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Type 3 Incident Management Team assigned to the Parkway Fire will likely demobilize tomorrow. Resources and personnel who are no longer needed will be available for deployment to other fires. The local district will take over work on the fire.

Post-fire recovery was a hot topic of conversation today among officials. IDL shared geographic information system (GIS) data from the fire with the City of Post Falls Parks & Recreation Department. Overlaying fire data with existing trail mapping data will aid the city in recovery planning.

City and state officials also hiked through burned areas to gain a better understanding of the damage and ongoing risks to the public. On Thursday, park officials report they will install fencing along the western edge of the fire to cordon off some of the most dangerous areas.

The dangers include dead trees and limbs that may fall, slopes destabilized by the fire and deep, burned-out stump holes. Often, these post-fire risks will persist until winter snow knocks down weakened trees and slopes are restabilized with vegetation.

Post Falls Police investigators are seeking tips about who lit the campfire that started the Parkway Fire. The campfire was located approximately a quarter of a mile to the north of West Riverview Drive in a steep rocky area of the park, just north of the designated trail in the area. Anyone with information should call the Post Falls Police Department at (208) 773-3517 or email tips to detectives@postfallspolice.gov.

The next update about the Parkway Fire will publish tomorrow morning.

Find Information About the Parkway Fire

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

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 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.

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.