Central Idaho fire restrictions issued; firefighters report gains in Bench Lake, Texas wildfires

A firefighter monitors scooper planes over the Fishhook Creek drainage as crews fight the Bench Lake Fire in central Idaho on July 21, 2024. (Courtesy of Clay Stephens/ nteragency InciWeb report)

Firefighters continue to make progress containing two wildfires burning in central Idaho and north central Idaho.

In central Idaho, fire officials reported the Bench Lake Fire burning in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest is 23% contained, up from 13% reported Monday.

Fire officials, in a news release , credit progress containing the eastern edge of the Bench Lake Fire to efforts of fire crews and aviation resources.

There are 468 firefighters — along with six helicopters and two scooper planes — fighting the fire, which grew slightly to 2,595 acres.

Fire officials report additional gains on the fire’s northwest portion, where crews reduced heat with portable pumps and hoses and completed handlines.

The cause of the fire — which started July 11, eight miles south of Stanley — remains under investigation, fire officials said.

Custer County residents are encouraged to register for emergency alerts through CodeRed online or by texting CUSTER to 99411. Visitors can sign up for alerts through IPAWS , the national emergency notification system.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area officials issued an expanded emergency closure July 18 for the Redfish Lake recreation complex. That includes the lodge and associated buildings, roads, trails, trailheads and campgrounds in the area.

Highways 21 and 75 are open, fire officials say.

Crews are still removing dense vegetation on Decker Flats Road. Around the Sawtooth National Forest Stanley Ranger Station and fish hatchery, firefighters “made substantial progress removing hazardous fuels,” the release said.

Stage 1 fire restrictions issued in Central Idaho

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is in extreme fire danger because of fuel and weather conditions, according to a news release Tuesday from the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

In those conditions, fires quickly start and spread, and burn intensely, the release said.

Small fires can quickly grow large, show extreme intensity, be difficult to control and often grow into “much larger and longer-lasting fires,” the release said.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for the Central Idaho Fire Restrictions Area , applying to parts of Custer County north and east of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and a portion of Lemhi County that is not federally designated as wilderness. The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is excluded from the restrictions, including restrictions set to soon take effect in the Payette Fire Restrictions Area.

Those restrictions ban fires except those within an owner-provided fire structure in a designated recreation area or on someone’s land. Campfires are only permitted in recreation sites with metal or concrete fire pits. Smoking is only allowed in an enclosed vehicle, building or designated recreation area, or in an area barren or cleared of flammable materials that is at least three feet in diameter, the release said.

In the Sawtooth National Forest, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place in national forest land boundaries in the Sawtooth and Cassia zones. Campfires are only permitted in recreation sites in metal or concrete fire pits, and are not allowed in dispersed camping areas.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions will also be in place in the Payette Fire Restrictions Area starting 12:01 a.m. Friday, according to a news release Monday by the Payette National Forest.

The restrictions — due to wildfire danger increasing rapidly — are set to remain until Oct. 1, the release said, unless officials lift them earlier.

The restrictions apply across the Payette Fire Restriction Area, including to the Payette National Forest, Idaho endowment lands, private lands in central Idaho and the Bureau of Land Management’s Cottonwood Field Office.

Amid high potential for wildfires in central Idaho, officials are asking the public to be cautious outdoors. Firework use is banned on forest and rangelands in Idaho during closed fire season, which lasts until Oct. 20. Firework use is banned on federal lands.

Fire restrictions in July have come early for central Idaho land management agencies, the release said. In years when the agencies do enter fire restrictions, it is usually in August.

Amid longer-lasting high temperatures and very dry wildfire fuels for the time of year, fire managers warn there is a high potential for a “very active fire season” and encourage central Idaho residents and visitors to be aware of “Ready, Set, Go” fire evacuation systems by local law enforcement agencies.

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Progress containing Texas Fire in north central Idaho

The Texas Fire burning east of Kendrick in Latah County is 70% contained, fire officials say, up from 60% containment reported Monday.

Crews were set to monitor and patrol the fire Tuesday to address areas of heat as needed, fire officials say. Around the entire fire perimeter, firefighters have completed initial mop-up — or extinguishing or removing burning material.

Much of the fireline was supported by water systems like pumps, sprinklers and hose lays due to “extended hot and dry conditions,” according to a news release by the Idaho Department of Lands.

About nine fewer firefighters were fighting the fire on Tuesday, for a total of 189 staff. In the coming days, personnel on the fire will “decrease drastically” as officials release resources from the Texas Fire to support other large fire incidents, the news release said.

Drivers are still encouraged to slow down in the fire area, where firefighters continue to work and drive, fire officials say.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area , which apply to all federal, state, state endowment, private forestland and rangeland property in the area, the release said.

The human-caused fire started July 15.

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