Wildfire Alert: Sunset Fire - Current as of 9:00 AM PT on 8/14/2025

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 08/14/2025 11:42 AM MDT

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SUNSET FIRE UPDATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 14, 2025 9 a.m. PT

(Athol, ID) – Evacuations remain in place for the Sunset Fire northeast of Athol which thermal imaging now shows to be at about 1400 acres.

High winds and poor visibility made firefighting efforts difficult overnight. Cooler and wetter conditions are expected today, however gusty winds are still predicted, but should be milder than yesterday.

Evacuation Orders from Bonner County Sheriff’s Office remain in place and are as follows:

GO Status for all residents on Raven Road, Crosswhite Road, Little Blacktail Road and east of 2268 Sunset Rd.

SET Status for all residents on Blacktail Rd 1/4 mile north of Little Blacktail.

READY Status for all residents on Blacktail north of the 1/4 mile.

There is an evacuation reception area at Sagle Elementary School.

Evacuated cows and horses can be taken to the fairgrounds.

The Kootenai County Sheriff has put the community of Bayview into a READY status for evacuation in case winds shift the fire. Kootenai County is posting information at https://www.facebook.com/kootenaiOEM/

Resources have more than doubled today with additional resources both in the air and on the ground.

Air resources will include 2 Scoopers, 4 Type 1 Helicopters, 4 Air tankers and an Air Attack Plane that circles within the fire perimeter and directs air traffic.

Ground support includes 15 engines, 4 dozers, and 5 water tenders. Three additional Hand Crews are now fighting along with the Panhandle Hot Shot Crew. Another Hot Shot Crew is on the way. Total resources are expected to be close to 200 personnel.

A Type 3 Interagency Management Team will take over management of the fire today.

The fire, which was reported around 3:30 pm on Tuesday, has damaged 3 structures with assessments ongoing.

Idaho Department of Lands is being assisted by multiple cooperating agencies including rural and county fire departments and the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.

Please avoid the area of the fire and NEVER fly drones near wildfires. Even a small drone can cause a serious or fatal accident if it collides with fires fighting aircraft. In most situations, if drones are spotted near a wildfire, firefighting aircraft must land due to safety concerns, prolonging the firefighting effort and putting more lives and values at risk. Violation of this can result in criminal charges at the federal, state, and local levels.

#idlfireinfo, #SunsetFire

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Find the latest IDL Fire updates on our website-based IDL Fire News Feed

and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kat Strother

208-334-0233

Fireinformation@idl.idaho.gov

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 9.6 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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