Northside Fire District

Northside Fire District Providing All Hazard Response to Northern Bonner County. For Our Community.

🟡Fire Danger reduced to HIGH🟡Effective immediately, the local fire danger level has been reduced to HIGH.
09/03/2026

🟡Fire Danger reduced to HIGH🟡

Effective immediately, the local fire danger level has been reduced to HIGH.

⚠️Fire Restrictions Lifted⚠️Please see the attached information release from our local fire managers regarding fire rest...
09/03/2026

⚠️Fire Restrictions Lifted⚠️

Please see the attached information release from our local fire managers regarding fire restrictions. Additional contact information is available on the release.

Please be fire safe, Bonner County.

🥾2026 Fill The Boot Drive🥾🔹Join us tomorrow from 9:30am to 3:00pm at the Super 1 Foods in Sandpoint for our annual MDA F...
09/03/2026

🥾2026 Fill The Boot Drive🥾

🔹Join us tomorrow from 9:30am to 3:00pm at the Super 1 Foods in Sandpoint for our annual MDA Fill The Boot Drive.

🔹Since 1954, fire fighters across the country have collected critical funds in the community – one dollar at a time – as part of the Fill the Boot program to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The partnership between MDA and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) began when the IAFF signed a proclamation designating MDA as its charity of choice, vowing to continue raising awareness and funds to ensure effective treatments and therapies are found. The dollars raised through Fill the Boot fund MDA’s mission of empowering people living with neuromuscular disease to live longer, more independent lives.

🔹Local Impact
With our support, MDA has been able to fund research, provide access to comprehensive care, and offer critical
resources to 4,322 families in Idaho. Funds raised locally support the following programs:
🔺MDA Care Centers – MDA has 2 care centers in ID. MDA supported 150+ research and clinical projects -
representing a commitment of nearly $36 million in funding that will help families across the US.
🔺MDA Summer Camp – Over 50 families from ID have participated in MDA Summer Camp or other programs last year.

09/01/2026

💻Fire Chief's Monthly Update, September 2026💻

WORKING TOGETHER FOR BETTER FIRE PROTECTION ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES
By: Jeff Armstrong, Fire Chief at Northside and Selkirk Fire

The Idaho Surveying and Rating Bureau (ISRB) recently completed its evaluation of Northside Fire District, Sagle Fire District, and Westside Fire District, resulting in all three agencies receiving a primary Public Protection Classification (PPC) of 5. The rating system is the result of a complex analysis of fire protection including distance to fire stations.

In short, the results can be summarized as follows: the Northside Fire District will maintain its existing Class 5 rating, while Sagle Fire District and Westside Fire District will move from Class 4 to Class 5, effective November 1, 2026. While the results of Sagle and Westside reflect an increase in their rating, this change was less impactful than expected.

While the numbers are important, the real story behind the ISRB evaluation is cooperation. The ability to maintain these ratings is made possible because Northside, Sagle, and Westside do not operate as isolated fire districts. Through their cooperative relationship, the districts work together to provide a network of fire protection that takes advantage of shared staffing, apparatus, stations, training, and other resources.

Instead of three individual departments attempting to independently provide every resource necessary to protect their communities, the cooperative model allows resources to support one another across jurisdictional boundaries, while also saving money. When a significant emergency occurs, residents benefit from the capabilities of the larger network, not simply the resources located within their individual fire district. Despite these efforts, we still fall short of meeting national standards for number of firefighters.

While we often refer to the primary classification of a fire district, classifications vary depending upon proximity to a recognized fire station and an approved water supply. Properties located within five road miles of a listed fire station and within 1,000 road feet of a recognized fire hydrant receive a Class 5 rating. Different classifications apply to properties farther from stations or without qualifying hydrant protection.

ISRB classifications are specifically intended to assist insurance companies in evaluating property insurance risk and pricing. They are not a comprehensive measurement of life safety or every aspect of a community's fire protection system. Individual insurance companies also determine how, or whether, the classification affects a particular policy or premium.

09/01/2026

🔥Wildfire Situation Report, 08/31/26🔥

Here is your weekly Wildfire Situation Report. Several fires continue to burn in Bonner and Boundary Counties including the Silver Fire, north of Ponderay. We are watching this fire closely as it could potentially threaten the fire districts.

Weather this week will be turning more favorable for fire suppression and initial attack activity. However, there is still a lot of work to be done around the west with 93 uncontrolled large fires still burning.

Learn more in this week's situation report.

🔥Structure Fire🔥2000 blk N Central Valley Rd, Sandpoint NSFD, SFD, SKFDOn 08/29/26, at about 7:38pm, Engine 1231 was dis...
08/30/2026

🔥Structure Fire🔥
2000 blk N Central Valley Rd, Sandpoint
NSFD, SFD, SKFD

On 08/29/26, at about 7:38pm, Engine 1231 was dispatched to a reported chimney fire north of Ponderay. Engines 1132, 1232, and 1233 responded on automatic aid along with Battalion 1202. The first arriving engine found fire had extended into the attic space. Firefighters made an aggressive attack to prevent the fire from damaging more of the home.

B1202 arrived on scene and took command of the incident. The additional engines arrived on scene and provided staffing for fire attack and overhaul. Fire was contained to the chimney and attic space.

Chimney fire season is our other fire season and it is rapidly approaching. This is a great reminder to get those chimney's cleaned and serviced before the weather cools off.

We would like to thank Timberlake Fire Protection District for their coverage while our units were committed to this fire.

Bonner County Daily Bee
North Idaho News
Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS

Northside Fire District Board of CommissionersPublic HearingSeptember 8, 2026 1:00 p.m.437 Cedar Ave. Ponderay, ID.208-2...
08/27/2026

Northside Fire District Board of Commissioners
Public Hearing
September 8, 2026 1:00 p.m.
437 Cedar Ave. Ponderay, ID.
208-265-4114

ROLL CALL: ADAMS________ GALLAR________ BOWMAN________

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ANYONE SPEAKING FROM THE FLOOR WILL NEED TO SIGN UP AT THE FRONT TABLE AND GIVE FULL NAME WHEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR.

• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG

AGENDA:
1. DISCUSSION/ACTION - Adopt the Order of the Agenda
2. PUBLIC HEARING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET
3. DISCUSSION/ACTION (Roll Call Vote) – Adopt Fiscal Year 2027 Approved Budget
Posted August 27, 2026 / Published September 2, 2026
4. ADJOURN

Notice of Public Hearing
Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2027
Northside Fire District, Ponderay, Idaho
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held during a special Northside Fire District meeting at the Ponderay Fire Station, 437 Cedar Ave., Ponderay, Idaho on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.to take public testimony regarding the District’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2027. All interested persons are invited to appear and show cause, if any, why such budget should or should not be adopted. The proposed budget is available for review at Selkirk Fire Rescue & EMS at 2689 Gun Club Rd., Sagle, Idaho 83860, during regular office hours Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please call (208)265-4114 to make an appointment.

EXPENDITURES
Personnel $1,014,553.00
Professional Services $225,254.00
Property & Utilities $23,340.00
Operations $108,800.00
Administration $361,715.00
Capital Projects $786,720.00
TOTAL PROPOSED EXPENDITURES $2,520,382.00

REVENUE
Property Tax Revenue $1,398,515.00
Property Tax Replacements $13,706.00
Excess Sales Tax $32,000.00
Safer Grant $246,960.00
Other Revenue $829,201.00
TOTAL PROPOSED REVENUE $2,520,382.00

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96257843792?pwd=kX2WbQAIaAz01s0c0PMIQQM7LJbKbi.1

Any person needing special accommodations to participate in person or remotely should contact Northside Fire at least
one business day prior to the meeting by calling 208/265-4114.
Posted August 27, 2026

⚠️Stage 2 Fire Restrictions⚠️Local Fire Managers recently issued Stage 2 Fire Restrictions for Bonner and Boundary Count...
08/27/2026

⚠️Stage 2 Fire Restrictions⚠️

Local Fire Managers recently issued Stage 2 Fire Restrictions for Bonner and Boundary Counties. What does that mean? Here are some tips to better understand the local fire restrictions.

For more information, let’s all go to:
https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/

Northside Fire District Board of CommissionersRegular Business MeetingAugust 26, 2026 4:00 p.m.437 Cedar Ave. Ponderay, ...
08/22/2026

Northside Fire District Board of Commissioners
Regular Business Meeting
August 26, 2026 4:00 p.m.
437 Cedar Ave. Ponderay, ID.
208-265-4114

ROLL CALL: ADAMS________ GALLAR________ BOWMAN________

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ANYONE SPEAKING FROM THE FLOOR WILL NEED TO SIGN UP AT THE FRONT TABLE AND GIVE FULL NAME WHEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIR.

• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG
• OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT LIMITED TO 2 MIN.

AGENDA:
1. DISCUSSION/ACTION - Adopt the Order of the Agenda
2. DISCUSSION/ACTION - Approval of the Consent Agenda:
▪ Prior Meeting Minutes from July 15, July 21, August 6, 2026
▪ Financial Reports
▪ Bills Paid
3. JPA COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
4. FIRE CHIEF’S REPORT
5. DISCUSSION/ACTION - Volunteer Program
6. DISCUSSION/ACTION – American LaFrance Repairs Update
7. DISCUSSION/ACTION – Professional Communications, Confidentiality, and Respectful Workplace
Policy
8. DISCUSSION/ACTION – Approve Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget
9. DISCUSSION/ACTION – Resolution for the Purchase of 2018 Ferrara Pumper
10. ADJOURN

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91973716496?pwd=5i1mureNLkljRXkuSXz3KcHF8pYZgb.1

Any person needing special accommodations to participate in person or remotely should contact Northside
Fire at least one business day prior to the meeting by calling 208/265-4114.

🚨Vehicle Accident🚨1300 blk Schweitzer Mountain Rd, SandpointNSFD, SZFD, BCEMS08/07/26, 2:57pmEngine 1231, Schweitzer Fir...
08/07/2026

🚨Vehicle Accident🚨
1300 blk Schweitzer Mountain Rd, Sandpoint
NSFD, SZFD, BCEMS
08/07/26, 2:57pm

Engine 1231, Schweitzer Fire, and 3584 are responding to a dump truck rollover on Schweitzer Mountain Rd above Sandpoint. One caller is reporting the incident as non-injury. Please avoid the area and yield to emergency vehicles.

Bonner County Daily Bee
North Idaho News
Bonner County Emergency Management

Address

437 Cedar Avenue
Ponderay, ID
83852

Telephone

(208) 265-4114

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