The Northern Rockies fire preparedness level is advancing to Level 4, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
“We are now prioritized second nationally. This increase in prioritization will help when competing for resources nationally. However, large fires in Montana are being prioritized over North Idaho within the geographic area,” the Forest Service said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The Forest Service said fire managers will continue to coordinate, utilize and move resources within the North Rockies zone to optimize suppression efforts.
Under preparedness Level 1, a fire incident can be handled with local resources and with little or no federal support, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. At Level 2, geographic areas are unable to independently accomplish incident objectives.