Wildfire closes Kettle Crest trails

A fast-burning wildfire has closed several trails in the Kettle Crest area, a popular destination for hiking, biking and backpacking on the Colville National Forest. The Kettle Crest, Taylor and Stickpin trails have been closed, and the Forest Service was considering closing additional trails as the fire spread from 300 to 2,000 acres on Thursday afternoon, said Franklin Pemberton, an agency spokesman. The Stickpin Fire is burning south of Profanity Peak near the old Leona Fire Scar. Lightning from Tuesday’s storm is believed to have started the blaze. Suppression efforts have been hampered by the rugged terrain, dense stands of trees and lack of escape routes, Pemberton said. Instead of a direct attack, firefighters are working on fire lines to contain the blaze. Fire-related trail and road closures are also in effect on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The 995-acre Parker Ridge Fire near Bonners Ferry has closed both the Parker Ridge and Fisher Peak trails. On the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, the North Grizzly and Bennett Peak fires have closed Forest Service Roads 260, 959, 993, 994, 1568 and 602. Indian Creek Trails 807 and 807A and the Shoshone Ridge Trail are also closed due to the fires.