Wildfire Alert: Sunset Fire – Current as of 9:00 PM PT on 8/27/2025

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 08/27/2025 10:02 PM MDT

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Sunset Fire

Evening Update

August 27, 2025

Fire Information: 208-990-1881

Email: 2025.sunset@firenet.gov

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: 3,230 acres

Containment: 66%

Total Personnel: 596

The public is reminded that Maiden Rock Campground, along the western shore of

Lake Pend Oreille and within the Forest Service closure area, is closed until further notice.

Fire managers are calling the fire 66% contained. Containment of a fire implies there are secure firelines around the perimeter, directly next to the edge where the fire burned. As the crews progress around the entire fire perimeter with “mop up” and extinguish all residual heat interior to the fire edge, the containment percentage will continue to increase.

Firefighters deeply appreciate the community’s generosity and support; however, please know that all of their needs are met at fire camp and additional donations should be directed to your local fire district.

CURRENT STATUS

Crews secured, mopped up, and held firelines along the entire fire perimeter. In the northern-most area of the fire, hotshot crews used porta-tanks (water tanks filled using air resources) to supply water to gravity-fed hoselays directed to residual heat in steep terrain. On the southern and western flanks crews removed pumps, hoselays, and sprinklers where they were no longer needed. Crews gridded (or canvassed the area in a grid-like pattern) searching for areas of residual heat, mopped up along the southern edge, and removed excess pumps and hoses.

The structure protection group completed 260 structural assessments over the course of the last several days. Helicopters backhauled firefighting gear and equipment using “sling loads” attached to the bottom of the helicopter with a lead line and swivel.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Temperatures were cooler today, with highs in the upper 80s and humidity in the low 20s. Cloud cover increased in the mid-afternoon. On Thursday there will be widespread cloud cover, temperatures in the high 70s, and relative humidity in the mid 30s with light, scattered showers and thunderstorms possible. There will be a slight chance of thunderstorms on Friday followed by a drying trend though the weekend.

Few sources of heat remained adjacent to the perimeter, however, interior pockets of unburned fuel continued to burn, smolder, and consume. Fire behavior will be limited to smoldering and creeping.

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES

• County Sheriff 's Office has lifted all "GO" evacuation levels for the Sunset Fire. Some roads in Talache and access to Talache have been downgraded to the "SET" status. Roads in SET are listed on InciWeb at this link.

• The forest is still closed to the public. Please do not enter public lands and disrupt the firefighters working on your behalf.

• Burning restrictions are still in place. By order of Fire Chief Armstrong, “All Open Burning” in the fire affected areas of Sagle shall be extinguished, to include campfires, outdoor burning of yard waste, open flames devices and charcoal fires.

• The established checkpoints will continue to be manned by law enforcement personnel, in order to restrict non-residents from entering the previously evacuated areas.

• You are returning to an active fire scene where hundreds of personnel are still working.

• You will encounter heavy equipment and fire trucks throughout the area.

• Please give them the right-of-way as you travel.

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

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.

Sunset Fire Evening Update August 27.pdf

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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