On Monday morning, a four-person rapid recovery crew from the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Services headed to southern Idaho to assist fire crews at the Middle Fork Complex Fire.

The large fire started on August 8 near Garden Valley and is currently 5% contained. Fire Chief Chris Way said conditions in northern Idaho are acceptable, allowing firefighters to provide assistance elsewhere.

“We’ve had a few fires in and around Kootenai County, but nothing like last year’s. We’re very fortunate, and that’s why we can safely send our resources to southern Idaho,” Way said.

The REMS team is a specialized team of four paramedics who can also carry out technical rescue measures and vehicle extrications.

Way said about 1,000 wildfire fighters are currently working to contain the fire complex.

“When these firefighters get into dangerous situations, this team is there to protect the wildfire fighters and get them out of harm’s way,” Way said.

The team will be on the job for 14 days. If the call is extended, the Kootenai County Fire Department will rotate crew members to continue support and allow the department’s firefighters to return home.

The department receives reimbursement from either the state government or the federal government for assistance during large forest fires.