UPDATE: June 23 at 9:44 a.m.
The Post Fire along Highway 12 near the Montana/Idaho border is 94 percent contained on Monday morning, a release from the U.S. Forest Service said. The fire has burned about 144 acres.
Crew say they successfully met their objective of preventing impact of the fire. They say the fire is still smoldering, but rain has helped damped hot spots. Crews said they’ll utilize a helicopter for any water in backcountry areas going forward.
The flight restriction is expected to be lifted Tuesday night, and the Forest Service will not issue any further updates on the Post Fire.
UPDATE: June 21, 2025 9:31 a.m.
The Post Fire is 80% contained and 144 acres large, but firefighters have successfully stopped growth with a direct fire line, according to the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team.
They said that firefighters are finishing up with final mop up activities and are securing the fire perimeter. Then suppression repair will begin on the contingency lines.
They added that backhaul will resume next week when weather conditions allow helicopters to move sling loads.
UPDATE: June 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Containment for the fire burning near Highway 12 in north-central Idaho has reached 45% containment.
Firefighters were able to complete the final sections of the control line around the main fire. They also were able to mop up edges of the northeast area of the fire as they prepare for cooler and wet conditions this weekend.
UPDATE: June 18 at 9:32 a.m.
Fire crews are expecting increased activity on the Post Fire on Wednesday due to anticipated hot, dry and windy weather, according to a U.S. Forest Service release.
The Post Fire is still burning about 151 acres with no containment reported.
Highway 12 is open and the Forest Service is encouraging drivers not to stop and watch firefighters and helicopters, as it “may impact firefighter and public safety.”
On Wednesday, crews are planning to cool areas that are still hot on a spot fire to the northeast. Helicopters will also be tackling hot spots.
Crews look forward to anticipated cooler weather on Friday.
UPDATE: June 17, 2025 9:46 a.m.
Fire managers asked travelers not to stop to observe fire operations on Highway 12 because they might impact firefighting and public safety.
The fire’s size is 151 acres and it is 0% contained, according to the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team.
Hotshot crews completed direct line construction along the fire’s west edge and helicopters have helped firefighters with multiple bucket drops of water. Firefighters are checking all edges of the fire for residual heat.
Highway 12 is still open, but there is a temporary flight restriction within a seven-mile radius of the fire.
UPDATE: June 15 at 10:11 a.m.
The Post Fire grew slightly overnight to 151 acres burned. It has no containment on Sunday morning.
The fire, located on a steep and rocky south-facing slope, poses a threat to the Highway 12 corridor, Weir Creek hot springs, and nearby recreational areas.
Hotshot crews have been constructing direct lines on the fire’s west edge and dropping snags near Highway 12. Another crew is creating a fuel break along Post Office Creek Road.
Three helicopters are available to support firefighting efforts. Fire managers are also scouting for secondary line placements to enhance containment strategies.
Original coverage: June 14 at 2:11 p.m.
LOCHSA RIVER, Idaho — A wildfire burning in the steep terrain near Highway 12 in north-central Idaho has grown to 148 acres since it sparked on Wednesday.
The “Post Fire” is located about 14 miles west of Powell Junction. On Friday morning, the Northern Rockies Team 5, led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson, officially took over management of the fire.
Crews said that the blaze got off to a fast start on the rocky south-facing slope but has since calmed down a bit thanks to light rain and cloudy skies Thursday. Firefighters said that they are using that window to make progress, building direct fire lines where it’s safe to do so, especially near Post Office Creek in the Lochsa River corridor. A spot fire on the northeast side has also been reached.
Fire crews said that three helicopters are available to help ground crews as they continue efforts to keep the fire from threatening Highway 12, nearby recreation areas, and forest infrastructure.
Officials say it’s been a very dry spring in the area, conditions more typical of late summer—and that’s contributed to how quickly the fire grew. Temperatures are expected to stay warm, with highs in the 80s in the canyon and 70s at higher elevations. There’s also a chance of thunderstorms and small hail later today.
For now, there are no Forest closures, and Highway 12 remains open. However, a temporary flight restriction is in place over a seven-mile radius around the fire. Drivers are asked to keep traffic moving, as helicopters may be dipping water from the Lochsa River.
About 120 personnel are working the fire, including four hotshot crews, two initial attack crews, two engines, and three helicopters.
For the latest updates, visit InciWeb.
