Texas Fire in North Idaho is now 60% contained, officials say

A helicopter assists firefighting efforts with bucket drops on the Texas Fire outside of Kendrick, Idaho, on July 21, 2024. (Courtesy of M. Long, Operations Section Chief for the Northern Rockies Team 8.)

Crews fighting the Texas Fire burning east of Kendrick in Latah County report that the fire is 60% contained, making “significant progress” securing the fireline, fire officials said.

Almost 200 firefighters were fighting the human-caused fire in North Idaho that has shrunk to 1,565 acres with more accurate mapping, according to a news release Monday morning from Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 8.

The fire started July 15.

Firefighters on Monday were set to reinforce the fireline, and would address smoke and heat areas as needed, the news release said. Crews were continuing to remove brushy fuels and installing more hose lays to extinguish remaining heat where possible, the release said.

Firefighters assigned to the eastern spot laid hoses around three-quarters of the perimeter, and engines are working in areas where hose can’t be laid, the release said.

Interior smoke may still be visible during continuing mop-up operations, the release said. But crews finished initial mop-up for most of the fire area, officials say.

All evacuations and road closures were lifted by the morning of July 20, according to the Latah County Sheriff’s Office . People are encouraged to slow down while driving in the fire area, where firefighters continue to work and drive, fire officials say.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Officials report progress containing Bench Lake Fire in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest

In central Idaho, fire officials reported the Bench Lake Fire burning in Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest is 13% contained, up from 8% reported Friday.

Four hundred sixty-four firefighters were continuing to fight the Bench Lake Fire, which grew to 2,567 acres. The cause of the fire — which started July 11 — remains under investigation, fire officials said.

In recent days, firefighters have constructed direct and indirect firelines along the fire’s east and west sides by using natural barriers to help limit fire spread, according to a Monday news release by the Great Basin Incident Management team four.

Crews will keep working the fire’s perimeter to build additional fireline and to deepen the existing fireline, 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.

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.

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.

DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST

The post Texas Fire in North Idaho is now 60% contained, officials say appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun .