UPDATE: August 20 at 11:15 p.m.
The Sunset Fire is burning 3,208 acres as of Wednesday night, and firefighters have achieved 6% containment, according to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).
Hotshots and hand crews strengthened the western fire lines with the help of engines and other heavy equipment. Firefighters also worked to establish fire lines along the northern flank, IDL reported.
A list of roads that remain under “GO” evacuation status can be found here.
A list of roads under “SET” evacuation status can be found here.
UPDATE: August 18 at 10:10 p.m.
The Northern Rockies Team Five held an informational meeting at North Summit Church in Sandpoint.
The meeting focused on the ongoing Sunset Fire, which is currently more than 3,200 acres in size and remains zero percent contained, according to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).
IDL has maintained Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations for the affected area.
The department emphasized the importance of safety precautions as water scoopers continue to draw water from Lake Pend Oreille to combat the fire.
Boaters are urged to stay clear of the flight path of the planes to minimize disruptions to the firefighting efforts.
UPDATE: August 18, 2025 at 10:07 a.m.
The Sunset Fire northeast of Athol is burning 3,200+ acres, the Idaho Department of Lands confirmed in a press release.
Firefighters will continue to strengthen containment lines today along the southern flank of the blaze, while hotshot and type 2 attack crews work to establish fire lines in steep terrain along the western edge.
“Aerial resources are assisting all firefighting efforts, including water and retardant drops to support crews on the ground,” the Department of Lands said. “Structure protection teams will be assessing properties along Talache Road and Butler Creek, implementing structure protection measures where needed.”
Evacuation orders remain in effect.
UPDATE: August 17, 2025 at 1:56 p.m.
The U.S. Forest Service has announced a closure order in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Only those meeting certain exemptions will be permitted in the area.
According to a social media post from the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, exemptions are as follows:
Private landowners living within the closure area.Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required.Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
UPDATE: August 16, 2025 at 3:55 p.m.
The Sunset Fire continues to burn around 2,700 acres on Saturday. The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) reported that engine crews maintained an active patrol of the fire perimeter through Friday night, aiming to provide structure protection with a focus on the Talache Road and Butler Creek areas.
Athol has seen cooler weather with some light precipitation and humidity, allowing firefighters more opportunity to establish fire lines. Despite these conditions, IDL stated that forest fuels have remained dry as the light rainfall was not enough to significantly dampen the fuels within the fire area.
A dozer line was completed along the southern end of the fire, with mop-up operations beginning there, according to IDL. The western and northern ends are still presenting difficulty due to steep terrain, however, hotshot crews will reportedly be focused on establishing fire lines in these areas, with aerial assistance, throughout Saturday.
IDL officials added that structure protection teams have continued evaluating properties in the Talache Road and Butler Creek area, attempting to utilize “point protection measures” where they are deemed necessary.
All previously issued evacuation orders remain in place for Saturday, as well as the temporary flight restriction throughout the fire area.
UPDATE: August 15, 2025 at 6:41 p.m.
The Sunset Fire has expanded to a size of 2,702 acres, with most of its expansion happening on the northern perimeter, according to the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).
Hotshot crews are working in steep terrain, attempting to construct fire lines along the northern perimeter with the assistance of aerial resources, as the blaze continues to consume heavy timber, IDL reported.
A Complex Incident Management Team was ordered earlier on Friday afternoon to assume command of the fire as it continues to expand and exhibit volatile behavior. The team is expected to arrive on Saturday.
All previously issued evacuation orders remain in place.
UPDATE: August 15, 2025 at noon
ATHOL, Idaho — Evacuations for a large wildfire burning northeast of Athol expanded Friday afternoon.
The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office extended the “go status” emergency evacuations to include anyone who lives on East Dufort Road and Talache Road, as well as all side streets of Talache Road in that area.
The Idaho Department of Lands estimated the fire to be 1,830 acres as of Friday morning.
Crews made progress putting together fire lines along the southwestern and southeastern edges of the fire, while air resources focused on the northern edge. Firefighting boats contributed to efforts on the eastern edge.
UPDATE: August 14, 2025 8:34 p.m.
The Sunset Fire has more than doubled since Wednesday, expanding to approximately 1,600 acres, the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) reported.
Officials stated that the fire is expanding northeast, exhibiting volatile behavior as it continues to engulf timber. Dense smoke has created difficulties for the aircraft attempting to drop water and retardant compounds on the flames, limiting their ability to fly in the area.
On Thursday afternoon, the North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire, according to IDL.
“Go” evacuation orders remain in effect for residents on Raven Road, Crosswhite Road, Little Blacktail Road, and those east of 2268 Sunset Road. Any residents in these specified areas were ordered to evacuate immediately. IDL added that these orders apply to residents on USFS 630 off Blacktail Road (north of Blacktail), Butler Creek and Butler Creek Spur, from Mirror Lake, diagonal down to USFS 630, including Five Lakes Estates, Jupline Landing, the entire Ponderosa neighborhood and everything south of Talache Road.
“Set” evacuation notices remain in effect for residents on Blacktail Road, a quarter-mile north of Little Blacktail, as well as everything north of Talache Road in Sagle. Residents in these areas should be prepared to evacuate on short notice.
“Ready” advisories remain in effect for all residents on Blacktail Road north of the quarter mile and for the community of Bayview in Kootenai County.
For displaced residents, an evacuation center was established at the Cocolalla Bible Camp. Additionally, any displaced livestock can be sheltered at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, however, capacity is limited.
UPDATE: August 14, 2025 11:15 a.m.
Evacuation orders from Bonner County Sheriff’s Office are still in place for the Sunset Fire northeast of Athol, which is now about 1400 acres according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
Evacuation orders are listed below:
GO Status for all residents on Raven Road, Crosswhite Road, Little Blacktail Road and east of 2268 Sunset Rd.SET Status for all residents on Blacktail Rd 1/4 mile north of Little Blacktail.READY Status for all residents on Blacktail north of the 1/4 mile.There is an evacuation reception area at Sagle Elementary School.Evacuated cows and horses can be taken to the fairgrounds.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office has also put the community of Bayview on READY status for evacuation in case winds shift the fire.
Additionally, the Idaho Department of Transportation is temporarily reducing the speed limit on U.S. Highway 95 to 55 miles per hour between Granite Hill and Blacktail Road to support firefighting and public safety.
Idaho State Police will be patrolling the area to make sure drivers follow the reduced speed.
Cooler and wetter weather conditions are expected today, according to the Idaho Department of Lands, but they also predicted gusty winds.
Resources at the fire doubled today in both the air and the ground.
Idaho Department of Lands asked people to avoid the area of the fire and not to fly drones near the fire.
UPDATE: August 13 at 10:00 p.m.
ATHOL, Idaho – The Sunset Fire northeast of Athol has burned an estimated 675 acres, destroying three structures.
Evacuation orders and warnings are in effect, with Bonner County Sheriff’s Office issuing a GO status for residents on Raven Road, Crosswhite Road, Little Blacktail Road, and east of 2268 Sunset Rd.
Residents on Blacktail Rd, 1/4 mile north of Little Blacktail, are under a SET status, while those further north on Blacktail Rd are in READY status.
The Kootenai County Sheriff placed Bayview on READY status as well, should winds change direction.
UPDATE: August 13 at 9:15 p.m.
The American Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at Sagle Elementary School, located at 550 Sagle Rd., in response to the ongoing Sunset Fire.
Residents in the area have been advised to evacuate immediately for their safety.
The shelter will provide essential assistance, including food and cots.
Evacuating families are encouraged to bring necessary items, such as prescription medications, extra clothing and important documents.
Special items for children, including diapers and toys, should also be packed.
ATHOL, Idaho — Emergency evacuations are in place northeast of Athol in the Sunset Road and Little Blacktail for a wildfire estimated to be about 50 acres.
The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation notices for homes from 2268 Sunset Road and to the northeast, along with those living on Little Blacktail.
Any side streets in the area of Little Blacktail and Crosswhite were asked to be ready to leave.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: August 13 at 4:30 p.m.
