Wildfire Alert: Sarah Loop Fire – Current as of 5:30 pm PT on 8/15/2023

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 08/15/2023 06:47 PM MDT

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Fire Incident Information - Email Header

Evacuations Ordered, Sarah Loop Fire Near Athol Burns Nearly 60 Acres

Athol, Idaho – Firefighters are on scene and battling the Sarah Loop Fire, which was reported to dispatch at 2:55 pm PT.

The wildfire is burning near Athol approximately 1.5 miles west of Highway 95 near the intersection of N. Targhee St. and E. Sarah Loop.

Evacuations have been ordered by the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. Evacuation information is available online from Kootenai County Emergency Management:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=kootenai%20county%20emergency%20managment
Website: https://www.kcsheriff.com/186/Emergency-Management

The fire is estimated to have burned just under 60 acres and is partially lined.

Aircraft battling the blaze include two Very Large Airtankers (VLAT), one Type 1 Chinook Helicopter, two Large Airtankers, and four Fire Boss aircraft. In addition to crews and equipment from local fire departments, the ground attack includes three hand crews, six engines and two water tenders. An additional hand crew is enroute.

Air resources were diverted from the Ridge Creek Fire.

Fire officials urge the public to steer clear of the area and to never fly a drone near a wildfire. If your drone is in the air, our aircraft fighting the fire must be grounded, which puts lives and property at risk.

View the location of the Sarah Loop fire on IDL’s Idaho Fire Map: https://gis1.idl.idaho.gov/portal/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=49bc88dc5e144ae2b3cd60a726168377&extent=-12996129.1531%2C6093085.186%2C-12992402.848%2C6095213.4795%2C102100

Contact

Scott Phillips

Idaho Department of Lands

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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