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

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.

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.