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Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Red Flag Warning issued August 11 at 11:02AM PDT until August 12 at 11:00PM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

11:02 AM — August 12th, 12:00 AM

A weather system will move through the area on Wednesday, bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms to the region. These thunderstorms will mainly be focused along the eastern slopes of the Cascades and along the International Border. Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new wildfires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires. The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from 11 AM to 11 PM PDT Wednesday. * Affected Area: Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), East Washington Central Cascades (Zone 696), East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreation Area (Zone 697), East Washington North Cascades (Zone 698), Okanogan Highlands and Kettle Mountains (Zone 699), Selkirk Mountains of Northeast Washington (Zone 700), Foothills of Northeast Washington (Zone 701), Colville Reservation (Zone 702), Okanogan Valley (Zone 703), Methow Valley (Zone 704), Foothills of Central Washington Cascades (Zone 705) and Waterville Plateau (Zone 706). * Thunderstorms: Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible late morning through late evening Wednesday. * Outflow Winds: Gusty and erratic outflow winds up to 40 mph will be possible. * Impacts: Lightning strikes will have the potential to start new fires, and gusty and erratic outflow winds could cause dangerous conditions around new and existing wildfires.

Air Quality Alert issued August 11 at 11:25AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

11:25 AM — August 12th, 4:00 PM

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the following agencies: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in Coeur d'Alene Environmental Protection Agency ...AIR QUALITY ADVISORY FROM THE IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY FOR Boundary, Bonner, Counties... * WHAT...Air Quality Advisory because of degraded air quality due to wildfire smoke. Air Quality Index is forecast to be Unhealthy. * WHERE...Boundary, Bonner Counties... * WHEN...Next update 12 PM August 14th. * IMPACTS...Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

Air Quality Alert issued August 11 at 11:25AM PDT by NWS Spokane WA

11:25 AM — August 12th, 4:00 PM

An Air Quality Alert has been lifted by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality for Benewah, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties.

Overview

Idaho Panhandle National Forests is a 2.5 million acre jointly administered collection of three national forests (Coeur d'Alene, Kaniksu, and St. Joe) spanning northern Idaho with extensions into eastern Washington and western Montana. The forests are currently open with several localized road closures in effect as of December 2025 due to flood damage in multiple drainages including East Fork Hayden Creek, Shoshone Creek, Lightning Creek, and Pack River. Emerald Creek Campground remains closed due to extensive hazard trees. Fire restrictions are currently low. Key regulations include a 14-day camping limit per 30-day period at any one site, seasonal food storage requirements (April 1 - December 1) on portions of Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Sandpoint Ranger Districts for bear safety, and prohibition of glass containers at certain beaches and water bodies. The area is rich in wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, caribou, elk and deer, with world-class fishing in its vast lakes and rivers. Recent prescribed fire operations occurred in fall 2025.

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