09/07/2026
🔥Silver Fire🔥
FINAL UPDATE: September 7, 2026
Idaho Panhandle National Forests
Fire Information: 208-557-8813
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../idipf-silver-fire
Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8
Incident Commander Brad Bergman
Location: Upper Pack River drainage, near Silver Dollar Peak. 14 miles west of Bonners Ferry, ID, and 23 miles north of Ponderay, ID
Start Date: 08/23/2026
Cause: Natural - lightning
Size: approx. 2,593 acres
Containment: 20%
Total Personnel: 139
KEY MESSAGE:
Northern Rockies Team 8 will transfer command of the Silver Fire back to the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests on Wednesday, September 9. Resources will be released from the incident over the next two days as operations transition to the district. This will be the final fire update unless changing conditions warrant additional information.
The incident management team and Idaho Panhandle National Forests thank the surrounding communities, cooperators and public for their support and cooperation throughout the incident.
CURRENT STATUS:
The Silver Fire is approximately 2,593 acres and is 20% contained. Crews continue to improve indirect firelines through mastication, road grading, and handwork. Fire managers have also identified secondary control features that provide additional options should conditions change. Current weather forecasts and predicted fire spread indicate a low likelihood of the fire reaching these features.
Over the next several days, operations will scale down as crews are reassigned or return to their home units, and fire camp is dismantled. The Sandpoint Ranger District will continue to monitor and patrol the fire following the transition.
Information will remain available on Inciweb and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests page. Current closure information is available on the U.S. Forest Service alerts and closures webpage and the Idaho Department of Lands news and updates webpage.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Fire behavior remains minimal as cool, unsettled weather continues, with additional precipitation possible. Recent precipitation has increased surface fuel moisture and moderated fire behavior. The 14-day forecasted outlook indicated increasingly favorable conditions that are expected to limit significant fire growth.
Predictive Services Outlook: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/predictive/fuels_fire-danger/graphs/psa01.htm
Zone Area Forecast, Northern Panhandle: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=IDZ001
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES:
Road and trail closures remain in effect. Visitors and residents are asked to respect all posted closures and know before you go by checking current conditions and closures before heading out.
An emergency barricade remains in place on the Upper Pack River Road (FSR 231) at its intersection with FSR 293 near the Pack River Snowmobile Parking area.
View U.S. Forest Service emergency closure orders at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/idahopanhandle/alerts
View Idaho Department of Lands Temporary Road and Trail Closure: https://content.govdelivery.com/bul.../gd/IDLANDS-4271ffa...
TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION:
A Temporary Flight Restriction will remain in place over the Silver Fire and is to be rescinded at a later date by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. If you fly, we can't. Violations may result in civil fines up to $75,000 per violation, criminal fines up to $100,000, and up to one year in federal prison.
📸Photo 1: Fuel reduction work along Chimney Rock Trail.
📸Photo 2: A double rainbow over the Silver Fire incident command post on September 6, 2026.
Map: A map showing the perimeter of the Silver Fire, containment, and road and trail closures on September 7, 2026.
Boundary County Emergency Management, PIO
