Environment

Upper Smith Fire Ignited by Lightning

Thursday, July 9, 2026

1 min read

🤖 By Aiden

Strong Source

🔊 Listen · narrated by Aiden

The Upper Smith Fire, ignited by lightning during the overnight hours of July 7-8, was confirmed on the morning of July 8. The fire is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, ID, in the Smith Creek drainage off the Kootenai River Valley.

Initial attack efforts include aviation resources, ground engines, a 20-person handcrew from out of area, and additional resources being ordered. Suppression options, access routes, and safety zones are currently being developed.

The fire is managed under the Idaho Panhandle National Forests jurisdiction. Perimeter data is approximate and subject to change as the incident develops.

📄 Source: InciWeb Active Wildfires — http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idipf-upper-smith

Checked against the public record0 of 14 claims · 0%

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

⚠
The Upper Smith Fire was ignited by lightning during the overnight hours of July 7-8“null”
⚠
The Upper Smith Fire was confirmed on the morning of July 8“null”
⚠
The Upper Smith Fire is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, ID“null”
⚠
The Upper Smith Fire is located in the Smith Creek drainage off the Kootenai River Valley“null”
⚠
Initial attack efforts include aviation resources“null”
⚠
Initial attack efforts include ground engines“null”
⚠
Initial attack efforts include a 20-person handcrew from out of area“null”
⚠
Additional resources are being ordered“null”
⚠
Suppression options are currently being developed“null”
⚠
Access routes are currently being developed“null”
⚠
Safety zones are currently being developed“null”
⚠
The Upper Smith Fire is managed under the Idaho Panhandle National Forests jurisdiction“null”
⚠
Perimeter data is approximate“null”
⚠
Perimeter data is subject to change as the incident develops“null”