Single Publication

These updates will be produce as significant activities occur. 

Overview: The Diamond Watch Fire continues to burn on Diamond Peak and smoke is often visible from ID Highway 57 near Nordman, ID. All the planned containment lines have been built on the West, East and South sides of the fire and Diamond Creek continues to act as a natural barrier keeping the fire confined to the northern. Due to the rugged, steep, and dangerous terrain this fire is being managed with a contained/confined strategy. Firefighters are using a combination of natural barriers, like Diamond Creek, and constructed fireline to stop the fires spread beyond the defined areas. After almost a week of warm and dry conditions the fire has slowly moved down the southern ridge and become a bit more active in the interior where it’s burning jackstraw piles of naturally dead and down trees. The fire area closure remains in effect and can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices.

Planned Actions: Firefighters with the assistance of Local Forest engine crews continue to patrol the nearly 7 miles of containment lines. Heavy equipment is still working to improve the Forest Service roads in the area. As the fire creeps toward the containment lines fire crews are ensuring that forward progression is stopped. The shaded fuel break that was built along FSR 308 and the containment lines with hoselays on the West and East have created areas where firefighters can safely take direct action. 
 

Weather: A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening for dry and unstable conditions Tuesday followed by gusty winds and dry conditions Wednesday. Periods of haze are predicted in the area through Wednesday with highs in the low 80’s and overnight lows in the 40’s.
  

Smoke: Smoke from fires around the Northwest and Northern Rockies have been impacting the air quality around Priest Lake. For the 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 due to heavy equipment operations and wildfire suppression effects on the Diamond Watch Fire. All methods of travel are prohibited (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and area. The Priest Lake area can be accessed from the Colville National Forest through Newport, WA via US Highway 2 north and Priest River, ID via ID Highway 57 north.