Wildfire Alert: Sunset Fire – Current as of 8:00 AM PT on 9/1/2025

Idaho Department of Lands sent this bulletin at 09/01/2025 08:57 AM MDT

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North Idaho Type 3 IMT, Incident Commander Mike McManus

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

Start Date: 8/13/2025

Cause: Under investigation

Size: 3,183 acres - No Change

Containment: 94%

Total Personnel: 336

The North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team wants to thank all the fire personnel for their hard work and dedication on this Labor Day. As containment percentages near completion fire managers are releasing resources to be available for emerging incidents.

CURRENT STATUS

Fire operations has combined divisions on the fire as the number of personnel decreases and completion increases. Going forward there will be 3 divisions- A/Z- now A, F/M- now F, and R.

Fire activity remains minimal with creeping and smoldering. Smoke may continue to be noticeable in the interior areas around Blacktail Mountain as pockets of heavy fuels burn. These fuels do not pose any threats to containment lines. In efforts to focus firefighters’ efforts, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with infrared sensors will be flying on Division A to pinpoint heat sources along the uncontained fireline.

Backhauling continues where pumps, hoses, and sprinklers are no longer needed. This equipment will be returning to the Interagency Cache in Coeur d’Alene to be refurbished and ready for redeployment.

Aircraft are available to support crews on the ground as needed with water delivery, cargo backhaul, and reconnaissance missions.

Fire crews assigned to the Sunset Fire will remain available to assist local, state, and federal partners with initial attack operations ensuring new starts are quickly addressed to reduce the risk of additional large fires.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Unseasonably warm temperatures will continue into this coming week including poor overnight humidity recoveries. Nighttime inversions will set up each night, which will trap smoke down in the valleys lifting in the late morning hours as the inversion dissipates.

High fire danger conditions persist regionally, and the public is reminded to use extreme caution with fire. Always keep water and tools within reach and never leave a recreational fire unattended or without being fully extinguished.

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES

***All evacuations, restrictions, and closures have been rescinded.***

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

• Hundreds of fire personnel are still working. Please give them the right-of-way as you travel.

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.

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