Single Publication

Fire Location 

• Wapiti: 2 miles SE of Grandjean 
• Bulltrout: 35 miles NE of Lowman 

Size 

• Wapiti: 86 acres  
• Bulltrout: 292acres 

Containment 

• Wapiti: 0% 
• Bulltrout: 15% 

Personnel 

• Wapiti: 77 
• Bulltrout: 96 

Start Date 

• Wapiti: 7/24/2024 
• Bulltrout:7/25/2024 

Cause 

• Both: Lightning 

Incident Commander 

Mike Johnston, Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team #7 

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Summary: The Wapiti and Bulltrout fires resulted from a lightning storm on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.On July 31st an incident management team was delegated the West Mountain Complex which includes the Boulder, Wapiti and Bulltrout Fires on the Boise National Forest and the Wolf Creek Fire on the Payette National Forest. A full suppression strategy is being utilized on these lightning-caused fires. Due to the tireless work of crews and the arrival of some moisture, the Bulltrout Fire has reached 15% containment. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority for fire managers. 

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior: Red Flag Warnings are being issued for the area from midnight tonight till 9:00 am on Sunday for expected lightning in the area. Record highs were reached in both fire areas and relative humidity percentages reached the low teens. Today we expect the arrival of monsoonal moisture with a 20% chance of wetting rains, this system will also produce thunderstorms in the area. Both fires continue to burn in both subalpine fir and spruce which are experiencing isolated torching of grouped trees. Heavy fuels in the area continue to dry out with higher temperatures and low humidities and are becoming more receptive to ignition from embers. 

Actions: Firefighting crews are actively engaged in suppression activities on both fires. Aerial resources are assisting through crew transportation, water drops, and logistical missions aiding in communications set-up, suppression and burnout operations. 

Wapiti Fire: On the east flank of the fire, crews are working on constructing a handline. Once this line is established it can be used to go direct on the fire’s edge on the east side. On the north side of the fire, a saw line through the vegetation was completed and tied into an existing road. Both lines will help protect the values at risk around the summer homes. 

Bulltrout Fire: Yesterday, crews completed a 10-acre firing operation on the north side to further secure the fire footprint within the completed handline. On the ground, this reduces burnable fuels to minimize the risk of the fire escaping. Work on this fire has been very successful and there is no anticipated change in footprint, operations staff are hopeful that the fire will move into a mop-up and patrol operation.

Important Information: For the Wapiti Fire, the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests have issued a closure order effective immediately for roads, trails and lands encompassing the Wapiti Fire. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities. The closure affects interior travel on several National Forest System roads such as NFS Grandjean Road #524 and the Warm Springs Air Strip. Additional information about these closures can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7

For the Bulltrout Fire, the Boise and Salmon‐Challis National Forests have issued a closure order effective immediately for roads, trails and lands encompassing the Bulltrout Fire. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities. This closure includes National Forest System (NFS) Roads #579, #582 and several others. There are no disruptions in access to the Boundary Creek Boat Launch.  NFS Road #579 is open in its entirety from Highway 21 to NFS Road #568 to the Boundary Creek Boat Launch. Risk to responders and public safety remain the highest priority for the incident management team. Additional information about these closures can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7 

The evacuation of the Grandjean area and the Sawtooth Lodge remains in place and the incident management team is in close coordination with the Boise County Sheriff’s Office.

For timely information on evacuations, check out your county’s emergency alert system.  For Boise County, sign up for notifications from Alert Sense at: https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=1163.

Both fires are adjacent to Highway 21 which is a popular travel route in Central Idaho. With the influx of vehicles in the area from fire and support personnel, please use extreme caution when traveling along Highway 21 between Stanley and Lowman, to help ensure fire crews safety while working. 

The Boise National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management will begin Stage 1 fire restrictions on state, endowment, private and federal lands within the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Zone. The restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 5th. For more information on the restrictions and a map visit: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/