General Discussion

Bo Zarts

(25,491 posts) Fri Jul 26, 2024, 12:56 AM Jul 26

I am safe .. but lightning fires continue to ravage the area in the Idaho panhandle (short update)

Incredible lightning last night with many, many new fire starts. I was already out of the lookout tower and in one of my usual off-days haunts in a historic little town on I-90 in the Idaho panhandle.

Rumor is that air tankers dropped retardant on or near my fire lookout this afternoon. A friend in Coeur D’Alene fire dispatch just messaged me that my lookout tower “is still standing.”

I seriously doubt that I’ll get anywhere close to my lookout for a few days, due to road closures and wind blowdowns from last night’s epic storms (Missoula, just over the Bitterroots had 100+ mph winds last night).

That’s it. More when I know it.

10 replies

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I am safe .. but lightning fires continue to ravage the area in the Idaho panhandle (short update) (Original Post) Bo Zarts Jul 26 OP

Look forward to updates. Stay safe. Silent Type Jul 26 #1

I'm in Lewiston. I could see the smoke column from the fire up the Clearwater. The wind died down some and it's brewens Jul 26 #2

Stay safe, Bo Zarts!! Moosepoop Jul 26 #3

GLAD you're ok, elleng Jul 26 #4

Thanks for your report, my dear Bo . . . Do take care. CaliforniaPeggy Jul 26 #5

Wow! So glad you weren't stranded up on the mountain. Stay safe! diva77 Jul 26 #6

100 mph winds! Wow! That's frightening wind in fire season. KPN Jul 26 #7

This message was self-deleted by its author KPN Jul 26 #8

Thanks for doing the work... orwell Jul 26 #9

I wish safety for everyone in Idaho. LoisB Jul 26 #10

Silent Type

(5,305 posts)

1. Look forward to updates. Stay safe.

Reply to Bo Zarts (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2024, 12:59 AM

Jul 26

brewens

(14,796 posts)

2. I'm in Lewiston. I could see the smoke column from the fire up the Clearwater. The wind died down some and it's

Reply to Bo Zarts (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2024, 01:21 AM

Jul 26

cooling off nicely at least. The evacuated Juliaetta and a big area up that way.

Moosepoop

(1,970 posts)

3. Stay safe, Bo Zarts!!

Reply to Bo Zarts (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2024, 01:28 AM

Jul 26

Report back when you can, meanwhile fingers crossed that your lookout tower and all in the area remain safe and unharmed. Sending good vibes to all in the affected region.

elleng

(134,536 posts)

4. GLAD you're ok,

Reply to Bo Zarts (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2024, 01:32 AM

Jul 26

good luck to every one and thing nearby.

CaliforniaPeggy

(151,244 posts)

5. Thanks for your report, my dear Bo . . . Do take care.

Reply to Bo Zarts (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2024, 01:33 AM

Jul 26

diva77

(7,880 posts)

6. Wow! So glad you weren't stranded up on the mountain. Stay safe!

Reply to Bo Zarts (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2024, 01:36 AM

Jul 26

...would love to see pics if you get around to it

KPN

(15,947 posts)

7. 100 mph winds! Wow! That's frightening wind in fire season.

Reply to Bo Zarts (Original post)

Fri Jul 26, 2024, 01:44 AM

Jul 26

A few years back, two simultaneous fires on the west side of the Cascades here in Oregon (Archie and Hollywood Fires) burned over 160,000 timber acres in one 24 hour period with 70 mph east wind. That was on day 1 for both of those fires. Can’t imagine what 100 mph could do.