Evacuations Ordered Near North Idaho Fire

SYRINGA, Idaho (AP) — Evacuation orders are in place for stretches of the Clearwater and Selway rivers in northern Idaho due to a wildfire burning in timber. Fire spokesman Pat McKelvey says on Wednesday that about 50 residents as well as campers along the Selway River have been told to leave.

Residents along a 12-mile stretch of the Clearwater River near its confluence with the Selway have been told to be ready to leave. McKelvey says the 9-square-mile Johnson Bar Fire has reached the Selway River and is about a mile east of the Clearwater.

He says firefighters are trying to put out a smaller fire that started on the west side of the Clearwater. It's unclear how many homes are in the evacuation area on the Clearwater. The lightning-caused fire started Aug. 3.