Single Publication

 Diamond Watch Fire Update

 
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8264/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USFSIPNF
Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Priest Lake Ranger District
Phone: (208) 557-8813

Location: 5.5 miles west of Nordman, ID in Pend Oreille County, WA      Cause: Lightning      Start Date: July 14
Size: 1177 acres      Personnel: 15      Confined/Contained: 55%      Incident Commander: ICT4 Hirst 


 *These updates will be produced only if significant events occur*

 
Overview: The Diamond Watch Fire started by lightning on July 14th had a small uptick in fire activity this week. The smoke was highly visible from ID Highway 57 near Nordman, ID and is burning below the eastern slope of Diamond Peak.  The public is encouraged not to stop along the roadway if traveling HWY 57 near the fire area.  The fire has been burning in rugged, steep, and dangerous terrain which has prompted fire officials to apply a confine/contain strategy to provide a safe working environment for firefighters.  Smoke will continue to linger as duff and small timber litter debris burn within the fire.  Fire behavior has been low to moderate, with fire mostly creeping along the forest floor. 

 
Planned Actions:  Increased fire activity over the last few days on the eastern perimeter was due to duff and small timber litter debris burning as the fire gets closer to the containment line along Forest Service Road (FSR) 657.  Once the fire reaches FSR 657, firefighters will be able to access the fire’s edge and start taking suppression action on that part of the fire.  The southern containment line along FSR 308 is holding and the fire is cool where it has reached the road.   The fire continues to burn towards FSR 308 and FSR 311, which will eventually tie together on the western containment line.  The fire on the northern perimeter is slowly backing down the ridge towards Diamond Creek which will act as a natural barrier confining the northern edge of the fire.  Firefighters will continue to take suppression action as the fire’s edge becomes more accessible and allows for safe and efficient firefighting tactics.  

 
Smoke: Regional smoke from fires in the Western States and Canada have had impacts to the air quality around Priest Lake. For a current interactive air quality map and predicted smoke conditions, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

 
Closures & Evacuations: Area and road closures have been issued for Forest Service Roads 311, 308, 1362H and the area in the vicinity of the Diamond Watch Fire. Petit Lake and its associated dispersed campsites are within the area closure. FSR 1362 remains open. This closure is for public safety and all methods of travel are prohibited (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and areas. A closure on the Colville National Forest includes roads on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The closure is due to the Thor fire and starts at the junction of FS 302 and FSR 1013. The most up to date fire area closures can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices for the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices for the Colville National Forest. 

 
Preparedness & Restrictions: Wildfire season is not over and the need to be prepared continues. Please visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires for details on preparing your home and family for potential wildfires on your area. There are no fire restrictions in place for the Diamond Watch Fire. For current fire restrictions around Idaho, visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/. Residents of Bonner County, ID or Pend Oreille, WA can visit https://www.nixle.com or text home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts. 

 
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