Humans caused nearly half of fires in Idaho Panhandle
WILDFIRES -- A sigh of relief came from fire fighters through the cool damp air on Monday. The rain enabled agencies responsible for managing lands and providing wildland fire protection in the Coeur d’Alene Dispatch area to lift fire restrictions for the Idaho Panhandle.
The Umatilla National Forest lifted fire restrictions starting today.
The potential for wildfire remains in some areas, so caution is still required.
And there's a lot of room for improvement in being cautious with fire.
Of the wildfires recorded by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests' Coeur d'Alene Dispatch area this season:
- 39 were caused by lightning, burning 3,997 acres so far, officials reported Friday.
- 32 were caused by human activity, burning 1,832 acres.
