Sun Valley Resort prepares for wildfire
BOISE – The snowmaking system at Sun Valley Resort near the central Idaho resort town of Ketchum has been filled with water in preparation for protecting ski lifts and lodges should a wildfire burning nearby reach the mountain.
Jack Sibbach, director of sales and marketing for the resort, said the lines were filled with water earlier this week, including some lines that haven’t been used in nearly 20 years. He also said workers have been staying overnight on Bald Mountain.
“We have a lot of hoses up top,” Sibbach said. “That is a last-ditch effort. The way the fire is moving, we’re in pretty good shape right now.”
The ski area on the 9,150-foot mountain is a centerpiece for the resort and draws vacationers from around the nation, as well as international visitors. The lifts run in the summer for sightseers, but they are now closed due to the Castle Rock Fire.
The lightning-caused fire that started last week has scorched 28 square miles and is 11 percent contained. Residents of about 100 homes remain under a mandatory evacuation, and residents of 200 more have been advised to leave. Many of the evacuated homes in the tony mountain town are worth millions of dollars.
Bob Beanblossom, public information officer, said 1,250 fire managers and firefighters, 72 engines and seven helicopters are now assigned to the blaze that he said is the top priority fire in the region.
He said crews were continuing to work on several burnouts on the northeast side of fire and air tankers were dropping retardant near the burnouts to make a stronger barrier against advancing flames.
“Today (Friday) has been another good day for us,” Beanblossom said. “Things are going well this afternoon as planned.”
He said that no structures have been lost, but one firefighter received minor injuries when a falling aspen tree hit him. Beanblossom said the firefighter was treated at a local hospital.
The Castle Rock fire was one of 11 fires burning in Idaho that have scorched 1,170 square miles.
Sibbach said the fire came within two miles of the mountain, which has forested slopes but no trees on top. He said firefighters appear to have turned it away from the ski area for now.
Of the five lodges on the ski area, he said, Lookout was the highest at about 9,000 feet, and Seattle Ridge next at 8,800 feet. He said firefighters have set up camp in the parking lot of River Run Lodge at the mountain’s base.
“Hopefully, we’re out of the woods with Baldy,” said Sibbach, referring to the mountain with a name common among local residents.