Tenmile fire: 663 acres, 15 percent contained

The Tenmile fire was 663 acres and 15 percent contained Thursday, following a day in which firefighters made “good progress,” according to an incident report.

However, officials were looking ahead with caution as a fire weather watch was forecast from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening, said spokesperson Shawn Ray-Delmas.

Wednesday, the fire was reported to be slowly working its way downslope with isolated torching.

“Helicopters continued to assist with air attacks and reconnaissance flights,” states the incident report. “As hot spots were detected during patrols, crews worked to construct lines around them.”

Thursday’s plan had crews beginning to mop up and hold the fire to the fireline to the north. To the south, ground crews and heavy equipment were expected to build firelines supported by a hose line.

“As the warm weather continues, grass and down timber is beginning to dry and may ignite,” the report states. “Crews will be monitoring for any spot fires that may occur during the drying period [and] air operations will continue as needed.”

Higher temperatures and a high-pressure ridge were predicted to continue until Friday evening, when a cold front was expected to arrive by Saturday morning, bringing gusty winds, lower temperatures and potentially a shower or thunderstorm.

Numerous closures were in place, including Cliff Creek, McGuire Creek, Sterling Creek and Park Creek roads and Ten Mile No. 21 and Blackfoot Divide No. 4N trails. Full closure orders are at www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai/.

The fire, about 19 miles southwest of Eureka, is managed by a Type II team with 285 personnel assigned.