Federal funds are being made available to help the state of Idaho with firefighting costs for the Clearwater Complex fires in north-central Idaho, the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security announced today. That news follows yesterday’s state disaster declaration for Lewis and Idaho counties for lightning-sparked wildfires that have consumed more than 15,000 acres. The Lawyer Complex and Fisher Complex fires near Kamiah started on Monday; the Idaho Department of Lands is the agency in charge of fighting the fires.

“This remains a very dangerous and challenging time for the entire state,” said IBHS Director Brad Richy. “With 51 named fires, high temperatures, low relative humidity and red flag warnings it is critically important for residents to remain informed about evacuation orders and safety precautions.” There’s more info here. Mandatory evacuations were ordered this afternoon for areas west of the Kamiah city limits.