Central Idaho residents told to prepare to flee wildfire
CASCADE, Idaho – Residents in rural north-central Idaho have been told to be ready to evacuate due to a 2-square-mile wildfire burning in steep terrain about 40 miles east of McCall.
Authorities said Friday the wildfire was expected to grow due to the terrain and presence of heavy brush and other fuel for the flames. Falling trees posed another problem by making it dangerous for firefighters to work.
“One of big hindrances we are running into is getting crews in to fight the fire,” said fire spokeswoman Sierra Hellstrom of the U.S. Forest Service.
Valley County Sheriff Patti Bolen issued the low level evacuation notice so residents in and around Yellowpine can be prepared if told to flee. The fire is about 8 miles away.
The notice gives residents time to consider what they would take, where they would go and how they would leave safely, Bolen said in a statement.
Hellstrom said eight helicopters dropped water on the fire Friday. About 370 personnel have been assigned to fight it, with more expected to arrive over the next several days. The lightning-caused blaze started July 15.
Hellstrom said one of the main objectives is to prevent the fire on its west side from jumping the Warren-Profile Gap Road between Yellowpine and Edwadsburg, which has been closed to the public.
The eastern edge of the fire is burning in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Officials say the wildfire will be allowed to play its natural role there. As a result, fire officials aren’t attempting 100 percent containment and the fire in the wilderness could burn until October.
The fire is burning in the Payette National Forest, threatening a private cabin and several Forest Service buildings. Hellstrom said a structure protection crew is working to protect the buildings, which can include clearing brush or wrapping them in a material to protect them from flames.
Elsewhere in Idaho, about 600 firefighters are battling two blazes near the Snake River. Both fires, totaling about 44 square miles are burning in grass and brush. Officials say there are no evacuations in the area.