Crews continue to fight fires in Bonners Ferry area 

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

Two blazes burning in Boundary County are filling local skies with smoke in what has so far been a relatively mild fire season, with the Turner Fire and Upper Smith Fire at 79% and 0% containment, respectively, as of press time.

The cause of the Turner Fire, burning on 681 acres about five miles south of Copeland, remains undetermined, while the Upper Smith Fire, covering 970 acres 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, was sparked by lightning.

According to a July 22 update from fire managers, the Turner Fire started July 15 and is being worked by 199 personnel, including seven hand crews, 10 engines, one bulldozer and three water tenders. Crews are “nearing full containment,” according to officials, with efforts now turning to the Upper Smith Fire to reinforce suppression efforts.

Mop-up operations began July 22 and are expected to continue for several more days, including extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines, felling fire-weakened trees and cooling ash pits to reduce the likelihood of the fire escaping.

A temporary flight restriction will remain in place over the Turner Fire, applying to all aircraft, including personal drones.

A Level 2 “Set” evacuation warning is also in place, with officials asking area residents to visit the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office website at boundarysheriff.org/news for current evacuation information.

The Upper Smith Fire was reported on July 8, and is being fought by 437 total personnel, including one bulldozer, three helicopters, 13 hand crews, nine engines, five water tenders, two masticators, three skidgines and two excavators.

It is burning in “steep, rocky, difficult terrain with heavy fuels and deep duff layers,” officials stated, adding that, “Fire behavior will be active for this time of year, with smoke columns visible from the valley.”

As of press time on July 22, the fire was slow-moving downhill toward Smith Creek and eastward, approaching a north-facing ridgeline.

With weather forecasts showing temperature highs of 97-102 degrees Fahrenheit on July 22, along with winds gusting up to about 10 miles per hour, the Upper Smith Fire was expected to be more active. 

Meanwhile, officials reported that increasing “monsoonal moisture” would heighten chances of minimal showers and thunderstorms in the area during the week. Dry and breezy conditions are expected for the weekend, with southwesterly wind gusts of 25-30 mph, according to the most recent update. 

No structures were reported in danger. 

As with the Turner Fire, the Upper Smith Fire has triggered a temporary flight restriction. Smith Creek Road and the Long Canyon Trail are both closed to ensure the safety of fire personnel and the public while crews work in the area. Find the forest closure order at fs.usda.gov/r01/idahopanhandle/alerts. 

Unrelated bridge work has resulted in the closure of Westside Road near Kerr Lake Road and Riverside Street. Officials stated that the public is “strongly encouraged to avoid the Smith Creek drainage area to allow firefighting equipment and personnel to travel and operate safely.”