POTLATCH, ID – The White Pine Fire in North Latah County has grown to 253 acres.
The U.S. Forest Service update on the fire has containment on the timber blaze at 10%. The fire is burning East of State Highway 6 near the Giant White Pine Campground, which remains closed. Laird Park further to the South is also closed.
The fire was active on Sunday with upslope runs, torching, and a spot fire over Wepah Creek. Five helicopters and one airplane attacked the flames from the air. Firefighters on the ground had to be temporarily evacuated from the lines on Sunday when thunderstorms caused the winds to pick up.
Sprinklers and hose lays on the North flank of the fire are still in place, helping to hold the line. A heavy equipment task force is working to build fire lines and roads so crews can access the flames. Large cedar trees and downed timber are causing a safety hazard for firefighters. Crews are hoping that cooler temperatures the next few days will moderate the fire behavior.
The Latah County Sheriff’s Office still has a be ready to evacuate order for people near the fire. Several forest service roads in the fire zone are closed. Drones are banned within a 10-mile radius of the fire. The fire camp is on SH6 just North of Harvard. There are 126 personnel assigned to the fire.
The response effort is being led by the USFS, which has brought in the Northern Rockies National Incident Management Team 2. The fire started a week ago, on Sunday. The cause of the blaze is unknown.
