ATHOL, Idaho — Updated at 6:43 p.m. on August 15: The fire burning northeast of Athol is now over 2,702 acres, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
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Updated at 12:21 p.m. on August 15
Level 3 (GO NOW) Evacuations have been issued for all residences east of East Dufort Road, on Talache Road, to include all side streets off Talache Road in this area, according to Bonner County Sherrif’s Office.
Updated at 7:45 p.m. on August 14 – Evacuations have been expanded for the growing wildfire burning near Athol on Thursday evening, according to Idaho Department of Lands.
The wildfire burning northeast of Athol has grown to about 1,600 acres, or 2.5 square miles.
All previously issued Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations are still in place (see 5 p.m. update below.)
Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations are now also in place for people in the area of USFS 630 off Blacktail Road (north Blacktail), Butler Creek and Butler Creek Spur, from Mirror Lake, diagonal down to USFS 630, including Five Lakes Estates, Jupline Landing, the entire Ponderosa neighborhood, and everything south of Talache Road.
Level 2 (GET SET) evacuations are in place for homes on Blacktail Road a quarter-mile north of Little Blacktail and everything north of Talache Road in Sagle. People in the area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Level 1 (GET READY) evacuations, meaning people should be aware of the fire burning near them, are in place for all people living on Blacktail Road north of the quarter-mile and for the community of Bayview in neighboring Kootenai County.
An evacuation center is open at the Cocolalla Bible Camp (209 Cocolalla Loop). Evacuated livestock can take shelter at the Bonner County Fairgrounds on a limited basis.
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Updated at 5 p.m. on August 14: Evacuations have been increased for a 1,400-acre wildfire burning near Athol.
Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations are in place for USFS 630 off Blacktail Road, Butler Creek and Butler Creek Spur from Mirror Lake diagonal down to USFS 630, including Five Lakes Estates, Jumpline Landing, the Ponderosa neighborhood and anything south of Talache Road.
Level 2 (BE SET) evacuations are in place for everything north of Talache Road in Sagle.
All other evacuations are still in place at this time.
A new evacuation shelter has been set up at Cocolalla Bible Camp at 209 Cocolalla Loop.
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UPDATED 4 p.m., August 14 – Road closures are in place for the wildfire burning near Athol on Thursday afternoon.
According to Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Sunset Road and Little Blacktail Road are closed for the 1,400-acre wildfire burning northeast of Athol, also known as the ‘Sunset Fire.’
Level 3 (GO NOW) and Level 2 (GET SET) evacuations are still in place. Scroll down for details on evacuation orders and shelter.
BCSO said the fire is moving north along the shore and producing heavy smoke, with ash falling as far as Trestle Creek.
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ORIGINAL
Evacuations remain in place for a growing wildfire near Athol.
According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the Sunset Fire northeast of Athol is estimated to be around 1,400 acres.
High winds and poor visibility made firefighting difficult last night. Cooler and wetter conditions are expected for Thursday.
Evacuation orders are still in place. Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuations are in place for anyone on Raven Road, Crosswhite Road, Little Blacktail Road and part of Sunset Road.
Level 2 (BE SET) evacuations are in place for all residents on Blacktail Road, a quarter mile north of Little Blacktail.
Level 1 (BE READY) evacuations are in place for all residents on Blacktail Road north of that quarter-mile radius. The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office put the community of Bayview into Level 1 (BE READY) evacuation status in case of wind shifts.
An evacuation area has been set up at Sagle Elementary School. Evacuated livestock can be taken to the Bonner County Fairgrounds.
The fire has damaged three structures.
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