The Cherry Fire, located about one mile northeast of Deary, is mapped at 113 acres and is now 100% contained.
Today (Mon), the North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team will begin the process of transitioning management of the fire back to the local Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Pondarosa supervisory office.
Although the fire is now fully contained, it is not yet declared “Out.” Firefighters will remain on the ground conducting mop-up operations—working carefully to locate and extinguish remaining heat sources—particularly those deep in heavy logging slash. This work is essential to prevent any potential reignition that could threaten unburned trees outside the fire perimeter. Excess equipment and personnel are now being released from the Cherry Fire to ensure they are available for response to any new or emerging wildfires in the region.
Local fire managers would like to remind the public that although some precipitation has occurred in the area, burn permits in Latah County are not being issued at this time. May 10- October 20 is Closed Burning Season, which means permits are required for all types of outdoor burning (except for recreational campfires) when conditions are appropriate. Fire danger remains high- fires can start easily from most causes and will spread rapidly. Unattended fires are likely to escape, and as fire intensity increases – suppression efforts may be more challenging.
