Crews fighting the Gold Run Fire in Shoshone County have finished constructing a containment line around the entire perimeter of the blaze, marking a significant turning point in suppression efforts, according to officials with the Idaho Department of Lands.
Although the perimeter line is complete, firefighters are continuing to secure those lines and monitor for active hot spots throughout the burn area. The Idaho Department of Lands is leading the response, with support from the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Bureau of Land Management, Silver Valley Fire Rescue, the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, and Avista.
Several road closures remain in effect while crews work the area. Highwater Road between Elizabeth Park and Big Creek is closed to all traffic, as is Country Club Road. The public is urged to stay out of the area to allow crews to operate safely.
One piece of good news for recreation users: the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes is expected to reopen for pedestrian traffic Friday morning, providing some relief to trail users who had been blocked from that popular corridor.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
What Comes Next
Fire crews will keep working to fully secure the containment lines and extinguish any remaining hot spots before lifting the remaining road closures. Residents and recreationists should continue to avoid the affected roads and check with the Idaho Department of Lands for updates on when full access will be restored. Earlier coverage tracked the lifting of evacuation orders for Kellogg-area residents as containment efforts gained momentum. The investigation into the fire’s origin is ongoing.