A red flag warning is in effect for the Boise National Forest through Monday evening, meaning conditions are ideal for wildfire starts and rapid spread.
National fire preparedness remains at its highest level -– Level 5, forest officials said.
A strong ridge of high pressure over southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon is expected to being continued hot, dry and unstable conditions through Tuesday.
Growth of the Bearskin Fire moderated over the weekend. The fire is about 15,278 acres. “As the inversion lifts, fire activity will increase with moderate rates of spread in the heavy fuels created by stands of dead and down lodgepole pine and subalpine fir,” acccording to a news release from the Boise National Forest.
Crews are working to reduce fuels around the Deadwood Outfitters and the Elk Creek Guard station. The Bureau of Reclamation infrastructure at Deadwood Reservoir is being assessed for fire preparedness.
To protect public and firefighter safety, the Bearskin Fire area closure has been expanded to include the Deadwood Reservoir area and all the campgrounds in the vicinity. The NFS Road 582 through Bear Valley remains open.
With extreme potential for fire growth, forest visitors are reminded that Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect on public and private lands under fire protection of the Boise National Forest, Boise BLM and State of Idaho.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, campfires are only permitted in developed recreation sites with an agency provided structure. Smoking is allowed in a cleared area of at least three feet in diameter, in a vehicle or in a developed recreation site.
