The Ridge Creek Fire is now 15% contained.
The Eastern Area Incident Management Team and U.S. Forest Service reported Tuesday the human-caused wildfire burning 3.5 miles east of the north end of Hayden Lake along Hayden Creek Road has engulfed 2,781 acres. The fire, which started Aug. 3, is being engaged by 413 personnel, 14 engines, six pieces of heavy equipment and nine crews.
Aircraft are assisting Buckskin 2 Fire crews as they work to get a handle on the wildfire located about eight miles south of the city.
An infrared flight of the fire places the size of the fire at roughly 264 acres, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials said Monday.
The community is invited to a community meeting Sunday on the Ridge Creek Fire.
The meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Athol Community Center, 30355 Third St. It will also be live-streamed on Facebook at facebook.com/USFSIPNF.
Almost 2,800 acres in the region have been burned in a handful of wildfires, with the largest being the Ridge Creek Fire, roughly 3 1/2 miles east of the northern tip of Hayden Lake.
Fire danger in the region is rated as very high to extreme, prompting the implementation of Stage 2 fire restrictions in the state. Under these restrictions, open burning is prohibited, including campfires, stove fires and recreational fires.