Winds fan fire in Orofino, Idaho; hundreds lose power
A new fire bore down on the north-central Idaho town of Orofino on Friday, cutting power to some homes and sending firefighters scrambling to fight the wind-driven flames.
Clearwater County Commissioner Don Ebert said Saturday there isn’t a clear picture of what has burned in the Municipal fire. “There have been homes lost,” he said. “I don’t know how many. Some places are not safe to go into.”
Helicopters and heavy equipment arrived to help fight the fire Saturday morning. Meanwhile, Ebert and his fellow commissioners worked to compile a list of resources that firefighters can use, make arrangements to feed the firefighters and help those who have been displaced by the fire.
“Our mission is to offer support,” he said.
The fire was estimated at 1,500 acres Saturday and burned two homes and several outbuildings. More than 400 homes are threatened. Orofino, the county seat for Clearwater County, has about 3,000 residents.
Ebert said the fire’s size is a rough estimate.
“It hasn’t been safe to do a proper assessment,” he said. “We’re focusing on firefighting efforts.”
The Clearwater Power Co. said Saturday morning that more than 800 customers were without power after a substation went down. The fire has blocked access for repair crews and it’s unknown when repairs will be made.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Saturday that the Municipal fire had the potential to create widespread destruction and authorized federal funding to pay for 75 percent of the firefighting costs, not including the loss of residences or infrastructure.
Residents along Cascade Drive, Pheasant Drive and Upper Fords Creek Road have been told to evacuate, while residents of Harmony Heights Loop have been told to prepare for evacuation. A shelter has been opened for evacuees at Orofino High School.
Ebert said he’s proud of how his community has responded to the fire.
“People here are amazing,” he said. “Everyone is working together. We have an awesome community.”