After-action: Sandpoint District reports 12 fires, 2,738 acres burned and new rappel capability coming
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Zone fire management officer Justin Clary told commissioners the Sandpoint Ranger District handled 12 fires totaling about 2,738 acres, hosted Type 3 teams and mutual aid, and expects to base 18 rappelers in Coeur d'Alene by May to improve firefighter delivery for initial attack in northern areas.
Justin Clary, the zone fire management officer, briefed Bonner County commissioners on the district's fire response and resources during an after-action review.
"The Sandpoint Ranger District had 12 fires for a total of, 2,738 acres that were burned," Clary said, and described the district's use of Type 3 teams, out-of-area engines and mutual aid to bolster response. He noted particular incidents including the Hemlock Fire (escaped initial attack but contained at 28 acres) and Priest Lake area activity (seven fires for about 10 acres total).
Clary described operational tradeoffs made during visible incidents, including the difficult decision-making on the Green Rattle Complex to weigh "if the juice was worth the squeeze" when placing firefighters in hard-to-reach spots. He also said the region is gaining a new capability: by May the plan is to have 18 rappelers based at Coeur d'Alene to deliver firefighters by rope into remote locations for faster initial attack.
Commissioners praised interagency coordination and the Incident Strategic Alignment Process (ISAP) used to identify critical values at risk. No formal resource commitments were made during the briefing; Clary said the additions and personnel increases strengthen regional firefighting capacity.