Upper Smith Fire Active in Idaho Panhandle

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

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  The Upper Smith Fire was ignited by lightning on July 7“The fire was ignited by lightning on July 7th.”
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  The Upper Smith Fire continues to burn on a steep, north-facing slope“The Upper Smith Fire is located within the Smith Creek drainage, approximately 6 miles west of Porthill, Idaho and about 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The fire was ignited by lightning on July 7th. It is burning on a steep, north-facing slope in heavy timber with significant concentrations of dead and down fuels.”
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  The Upper Smith Fire is burning in heavy timber“The fire is burning in mature mixed conifer with moderate to high loadings of 1000-hr fuels and deep duff layers. There are some old timber harvests along Smith Creek, with aspen and western larch.”
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  The Upper Smith Fire is near Porthill, Idaho“Incident Overview The Upper Smith Fire is located within the Smith Creek drainage, approximately 6 miles west of Porthill, Idaho and about 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.”
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  The Upper Smith Fire is approximately 6 miles west of Porthill“Incident Overview The Upper Smith Fire is located within the Smith Creek drainage, approximately 6 miles west of Porthill, Idaho and about 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.”
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  The Upper Smith Fire is approximately 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry“Location: 20 Miles Northwest of Bonners Ferry, ID in the Smith Creek drainage of the Kootenai River ValleyStart Date: 7/8/2026Containment: 45% | Cause: Lightning | Size: 2,736 acresResources: 192 Personnel | 5 Helicopters | 4 Hand Crews | 2 Engines | 7 Water TendersKEY MESSAGE:… Read more Publication Type: News - 08/07/2026 - 09:54”
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  Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team #1 assumed command on July 17“null”
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  A full suppression strategy is being implemented“A full suppression strategy will continue to be implemented utilizing direct and indirect tactics to protect critical values at-risk and minimize firefighter risk exposure.”
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  Direct and indirect tactics are being used to protect critical values“A full suppression strategy will continue to be implemented utilizing direct and indirect tactics to protect critical values at-risk and minimize firefighter risk exposure.”
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  Direct and indirect tactics are being used to minimize firefighter risk“A full suppression strategy will continue to be implemented utilizing direct and indirect tactics to protect critical values at-risk and minimize firefighter risk exposure.”
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  The Upper Smith Fire is burning on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests“The Upper Smith Fire is located within the Smith Creek drainage, approximately 6 miles west of Porthill, Idaho and about 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.”
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  The July 20 community meeting recording is available online“null”
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  The July 20 community meeting recording is available for residents seeking updates on fire management efforts“null”