Single Publication

Special Notes: Additional divisions (DD and HH) have been added to the Wapiti Fire to accommodate the growth of the fire and the fluidity of the situation. Fire managers subdivide the fire perimeter on large complex fires like the Wapiti into branches and divisions to ensure effective management and safer operations.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 (RM CIMT1) hosted a community meeting in Lowman, ID last night, providing updates on the Wapiti fire. Great Basin CIMT3 was also present and gave an update on the Middle Fork Complex. A recording of the meeting may be viewed on Facebook (see link above).

There is a link to an interactive map above. This map will enable the user to enter their street address and see where their residence is in relation to the Wapiti Fire.

State Highway 21 is closed from east of Lowman to Stanley (MP84 to MP130) due to wildfire activity. The closure is necessary for public safety and to provide safe conditions for firefighters working along the highway. Highway 75 remains open at this time.

Current Situation: Tuesday afternoon, fire activity increased resulting in spotting across Highway 21 northeast of Valley Creek. The spot fire crossed Welp Lane and Nip and Tuck Road northwest of Lower Stanley. Helicopters were immediately on site, but smoke limited visibility and the fire became established. Overnight, crews were able to get fireline on much of the spot fire and check it up. Wapiti Fire is now 79,745 acres. The focus continues to be on the protection of structures and communities while beginning to establish control features. All activities are being coordinated on the ground with Resource Advisors to protect known values.

Division DD: On this division in the Redfish Lake area, structure protection personnel will be conducting assessments for work that needs to be done should the fire progress this this direction.

Division HH: This division is focused on protecting Goat Falls, Stanley, and nearby communities. Crews will be assessing indirect fireline locations and constructing lines as needed to keep the fire from impacting values at risk.

Division KK and Structure Group East: The fire was most active in this division as a flare-up spotted across Highway 21 and became established northeast of Valley Creek. Firefighters worked throughout the night to complete dozer line around the north, east, and part of the south sides of the approximately 140-acre spot fire, checking its further movement towards Stanley. Work on the spot will continue today. The firing operations around Homestead, Crooked Creek, and Iron Creek were successful in creating a defensible line, and throughout the day crews were able to deepen these lines to protect the values at risk. Much of the fire activity in this area was interior away from structures, and crews were able to remain in the area to respond to flare-ups. Crews will remain in and around the values at risk, mopping up and maintaining defensible space. Also, crews will be working to strengthen and deepen these firelines to keep the fire from impacting Homestead, Crooked Creek, and Iron Creek.  

Division PP: Crews conducted strategic firing operations on National Forest Road 105 to keep the fire south of this road. They also worked the fire’s edge on the eastside of Highway 21 to check the fire’s progress northwest along Highway 21. Crews will continue work in these areas securing the fire’s edge and checking its progress north.

Division MM: Crews are looking to do a strategic firing operation northwest of the Bull Trout Lake area. The objective is to tie the fireline into Highway 21 and an old fire scar that is proving resistant to burning. The actions are designed to protect the campground and prevent the fire from moving further north.  

Division WW and Structure Group West:  The fire has been relatively muted in this division. Fire managers are making plans to check its progress to keep it from moving south/southeast and southwest along Highway 21. Crews will continue to mop up around structures in Hanging Valley and Bear Creek, along the 524 road and the Grandjean area to prevent flare-ups. Crews will also continue prepping around the subdivisions of Two Ravens, Ten Ax, and Seven Peaks, establishing firelines and supporting them with hose lays to protect values at risk. Fire managers are continuing to work with the Lowman Fire Chief to assess values at risk, point protection needs, and containment opportunities in the area between Warm Springs and Lowman along the Highway 21 corridor.  

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior:  Near critical fire weather conditions are expected this afternoon, with dry relative humidity and breezy northwest winds following the passage of a dry cold front that moved through yesterday. The fire’s behavior will likely be adverse and challenging, resulting in the potential for group torching, moderate range runs, and long-distance spotting.

Evacuations: For evacuation information on the Wapiti Fire, please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Custer-County-Sheriff-Idaho-61558947312289/  and the Boise County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/boisecountysheriff/.

Red Cross is prepared to establish a shelter in Challis, ID if necessary.

To sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications, text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll online at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF .

Closures and Fire Restrictions:

State Highway 21 is closed from MP84 to MP130 for public and firefighter safety.

A Wapiti Fire Area Closure / Forest Order: 0402-05-95 for portions of the Boise, Sawtooth, and Salmon-Challis National Forests can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices .

Boise National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions / Forest Order: 0402-00-63 can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.

Sawtooth National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions / Forest Order 0414-00-044 can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices.

Fire restrictions on state and private lands may be found at this site: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Wapiti Fire. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t.  For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Wapiti Fire Statistics:

Size: over 79,745 acres    

Containment: 0%

Total Personnel: 839

Location: Grandjean, ID

Reported: July 24, 2024

Cause: lightning

For More Information:

 Information Phone: 208-593-7132

 Email:  2024.wapiti@firenet.gov

 InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-wapiti-fire  

 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024/

 Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024

 Interactive Map:  https://tinyurl.com/WapitiFireInfoMap