Here’s an update on the wildfires burning throughout Idaho.
(Soda Fire)
The Soda Fire: Governor Butch Otter issued a disaster declaration for Owyhee County on Saturday. That’s due to the Soda Fire. The Bureau of Land Management says the Soda Fire in Owyhee County has scorched more than 283,000 acres and is 70% contained. It is currently the largest wildfire in the nation. Fire officials say although temperatures are cooler, winds are worse than they have been. They say Monday and Tuesday will be very windy (25 mph) which could cause the fire to grow and bring more smoke into the Treasure Valley. The Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Orange Air Quality alert for Ada County, Canyon County, Payette County, and other counties.
(Soda Fire)
(Boise National Forest Firefighters)
The Clearwater Complex Fires: This complex of fires is made up of a group of wildfires burning near Kamiah. The Lawyer Complex Fire, The Lolo 2 Fire, The Fisher Fire, and more. The fires have burned more than 50,000 acres, evacuations are in place for Kamiah and roads nearby. More than 100 outbuildings and homes have been destroyed. The Lawyer Complex Fire is the worst of them all. It has scorched more than 20,000 acres alone and caused the most damage and loss of homes. Officials say although no one has been injured, a 70-year-old woman died while preparing to evacuate from the Lawyer Complex Fire. Officials say Cheryl Lee Wissler of Adams Grade died after she fell and hit her head Friday evening. They believe she was trying to leave her home when she fell. Almost 800 firefighters are working on all of these fires.
(West Scriver Fire)
The West Scriver Fire: The fire is burning in the Boise National Forest near Crouch. Officials say it has scorched around 600 acres and is 40% contained. It started August 10th due to a lightning storm. Fire crews are working on building a fire line across the perimeter of the fire. No homes have been threatened by the fire. Crews are having problems getting to it because it is burning on the side of a mountain through timber. Around 160 firefighters are working on the flames.
The Cougar Fire: The fire is burning near Warm Lake. It has burned around 500 acres. It too is believed to have started by lightning during a storm. It started August 10th.
(Teepee Springs Fire)
The Teepee Springs Fire: The fire started August 12th and is burning in the Payette National Forest near Riggins. So far, fire officials say it has scorched more than 4,500 acres. Several campgrounds are closed but there are no evacuations at this time. If it does change, the Sheriff’s Office will let people know immediately. Fire crews say lots of wind expected over the next few days will cause this fire to continue to grow.
