County declares fire emergency
The Lincoln County Commission Wednesday declared a state of emergency due to fire conditions and activity, a move that readies the county for requesting emergency funds if necessary.
The commission did the same last August after the onset of the Gibralter Ridge and other area fires.
“But it isn’t nearly the [same] situation as last year,” County Administrator Darren Coldwell said Thursday by email.
This year’s declaration, contained in Resolution 2018-12, cites “unprecedented wildland fire conditions and severe drought” and “significant wildland fire activity [that is] threatening public safety [and] private property.”
The resolution also notes that “local fire response resources are operating at full capacity.”
Since July 26, more than 20 fires caused by lightning have popped up around Lincoln County, most in remote areas. Many ranged from one-tenth to one-quarter of an acre in size, and some have been contained.
However, a handful of larger fires are keeping Forest Service firefighting resources busy. These include the Davis fire at approximately 215 acres, the Ten mile fire at 40 acres and the Porcupine fire at 12 acres, according to figures the Forest Service provided Wednesday evening.
Coldwell has said the declaration is a procedural move that will allow the county to request state funding should the county spend more than $70,000 responding to an emergency such as a wildland fire. There is no guarantee that funds would be granted.
As a result of the declaration, all provisions of the County Emergency Operations Plan are in effect. According to county documents, the plan outlines a coordinated response to natural or man-made disasters.
All three Lincoln County Commissioners — Mark Peck, Mike Cole and Jerry Bennett — voted “yes” to approve the declaration.
The declaration followed the July 27 implementation of Stage 1 fire restrictions in the Kootenai National Forest and in the Libby area.
To learn more about current area fire restrictions, visit www.firerestrictions.us.