Entire town of Juliaetta told to evacuate for wildfire

JULIAETTA, Idaho —

UPDATE, 10 p.m. on July 25:

According to Latah County Sheriff's Office, Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are still in effect for the entire town of Juliaetta as of 10 p.m. on Thursday, due to the Gwen Wildfire burning about 30 miles outside of Lewiston.

Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations have been expanded to include the area west of Highway 99, up to Bethel Road (see yellow area on below map.) Anyone in this area should be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

As of 10 p.m. on Thursday, the city of Kendrick is not in the Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation zone.

Another fire, called the River Fire, is also burning near the Gwen Fire near the east end of Arrow Highline Road, west of the town of Myrtle along Clearwater River.  That fire is is also burning at roughly 2,000 acres.

UPDATE, 8:00 p.m. on July 25:

Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations have been issued for the entire town of Juliaetta due to the Gwen Fire burning along Highway 3, according to Latah County Sheriff's Office.

As of 5:22 p.m. on Thursday, all people in the town of Juliaetta must leave the area immediately.

Those just outside of the Level 3 zone are under Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation orders and must be ready to leave at a moment's notice (See below map).

Relief sites for the fire are set up at Latah County Fair and Events Center (1021 Harold Street, Moscow, Idaho). The barns are open for stalling animals and the East Field carnival area is open to RVs, trailers and cars.

Additional evacuation sites are also at Troy High School (101 Trojan Dr.) and the LDS Church off Big Meadow Road.

The Nez Perce County Fairgrounds at 1229 Burrell Ave A in Lewiston is also a shelter site.

ORIGINAL STORY, 4:30 p.m. on July 25:

Evacuations are in place for the areas of Myrtle, Arrow Highline Road and Cherry Lane on Thursday, according to Nez Perce County Sheriff's Office.

According to Latah County Sheriff's Office, Highway 3 from milepost 0 to 9 has been closed by Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) due to a wildfire.

Around 4:15 p.m. on July 25, the Latah County Sheriff's Office said the following evacuations have been issued:

Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuations:

• State Highway 3 from Arrow Junction to Juliaetta Idaho and all lanes / roads off of it
• Arrow Highline Road and all lanes / roads off of it
• Clearwater Ridge Rd and all lanes / roads off of it
• Stony Point Rd and all lanes / roads off of it
• Hubbard Gulch Rd and all lanes / roads off of it
• Cherrylane Rd and all lanes / roads off of it
• Gifford Reubens Rd to MP 3
• Cottonwood Creek Rd the north 1 mile (just south of Lobo Ln)
• North Tom Beall Rd
• Mid Tom Beall Rd
• South Tom Beall Rd
• Misner Rd - north of Tom Beall Rd

Level 2 (Get Set) Evacuations:

• McGary Grade
• Myrtle Area
• Gifford Reubens Road - south 3 miles from US Highway 12
• Leland Rd
• Weischman Rd
• US Highway 12 from Arrow Junction to Cooks Paradise Acres
• River Rd and all lanes / roads off of it
• South of South Tom Beall Rd to Culdesac
• East of Cottonwood Creek Rd to Gifford Reubens Rd

Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuations:

• North Tom Beall Rd
• Cottonwood Creek Drainage
• US Highway 12 to Lenore
• River Rd to Lenore
• Leland Rd to Leland
• Juliaetta Area - Latah and Nez Perce
• Culdesac / Gifford / Summit Grade / Amos Bench areas

The Gwen Fire has grown to over 1000 acres and at least one structure has been burned down.

Additional structure protection has been requested.

Several aircraft are assisting ground crews.

A portion of State Highway 3 has been closed.

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