Wildfire Alert: Sunset Fire – Current as of 8:50 AM PT on 8/21/2025

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 08/21/2025 09:52 AM MDT

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

Northern Rockies Team 5, Incident Commander Joe Sampson

Location: On the western slope of Lake Pend Oreille, northeast of Athol, ID.

Start Date: 8/13/2025

Cause: Under investigation

Size: 3,208 acres

Containment: 6%

Total Personnel: 621

The Bonner County Sheriff's Office has updated the list of roads in the GO and the SET evacuation zones, in conjunction with the Sunset Fire.

These lists replace the previously posted information, dated August 18th.

Roads in SET and roads in GO are listed on InciWeb at this link.

Because aerial resources do not have to gain as much elevation from Cocolalla Lake as from Pend Oreille Lake, the planes are scooping water out of Cocolalla Lake.

The change in location for scooping is not related to western progression of the fire nor an increase in fire behavior.

Water scoopers will continue to draw water from Lake Pend Oreille. Boaters: please stay out of the flight path of these planes to minimize disruptions to firefighting efforts.

CURRENT STATUS

Hotshots, type 2 hand crews, engines, and heavy equipment will work to hold and improve firelines along the western flank, working northward in the very steep terrain into Maiden Creek. Hotshot and type 2 hand crews will work from north to south from Pearl Creek to Maiden Creek. Aerial resources, including scoopers and helicopters, will continue to assist all firefighting efforts using water drops on the southern, western, and northern flanks of the fire to support crews on the ground. Structure protection teams continued to implement protection measures where needed along Talache Road and Butler Creek. From the lakeshore, watercraft will insert crews into remote areas and will supply water to cool hotspots and active flames.

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) module with infrared (IR) capabilities will fly the fire area to look for hotspots and residual heat.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

As temperatures increase to the mid to upper 80s and relative humidities drop to the low 20s, visible smoke is likely as larger fuels burn. North to northeast winds will be primarily slope and terrain driven at 5 mph with up to 10 mph on ridgetops and exposed locations. By this weekend, hot and dry conditions will be well established across the area along with increasingly poor overnight humidity recovery.

Active fire behavior with flanking, torching, and short-range spotting will increase, with short up-hill runs likely. Higher temperatures and lower relative humidities will result in increased potential for fire activity throughout the weekend. Smoke is likely to be visible from numerous locations.

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES

The Incident Management Team worked in conjunction with the Bonner County Sheriff's Office to clarify the narrative descriptions of the evacuation zones for the Sunset Fire.

Roads in SET and roads in GO are listed on InciWeb at this link.

To receive the latest evacuation updates please sign up for Bonner County Nixle alerts via text. Text 888777 and enter your zip code.

There is an evacuation center at the Cocolalla Bible Camp to assist displaced residents. The Bonner County Fairgrounds are available to shelter evacuated livestock on a limited basis.

Area closures are in effect on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The area closure encompasses all National Forest Service Lands (NFSL) along the western shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille, from Camp Bay south to Three Sisters Horizontal Control Station. The closure extends west to Three Sisters Creek, then proceeds north to just south of National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 230. It then follows a stepped northeast path to Hickman Creek continuing east to the Forest Boundary and then heads north to Sagle Road. From Sagle Road, the boundary extends east back to Camp Bay.

More information on Idaho Panhandle National Forests area closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/idahopanhandle/alerts

A Temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place that restricts all aircraft (including drones) from operating in the fire area without permission.

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 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.

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.