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Buildings lost as Wapiti Fire grows to 4,000 acres

Posted at 5:32 PM, Aug 25, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-26 18:30:44-04

UPDATE: The Wapiti Fire in the Grandjean area in Boise County has grown to 4,000 acres. 

Four cabins and one outbuilding were destroyed due to the fire, but no injuries have been reported.

There is no estimated containment on the fire, and there is a closure around the Grandjean area for public and firefighter safety. Forest spokesman Mike Williamson says National Forest System Road 524, which leads from Highway 21 to Grandjean, is closed.

Cabin owners and those who had to abandon campgrounds during the evacuation are asked to call the Lowman Ranger District (208-259-3361) for information about when it will be possible to gain access to the area.

Williamson says the fire burned actively through this morning, and firefighters are patrolling the South Fork Payette River to keep the fire north of the river.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Original Story: Evacuations are underway because of a fire burning in the Grandjean area west of Stanley.

Forest spokesman Mike Williamson says the Wapiti fire is 1,200 acres. The call came in at 2:12 Saturday afternoon.

Boise County Sheriffs are evacuating the Sawtooth lodge, nearby campgrounds, recreational trails, and residences.

A type 2 incident management team has been ordered and will arrive around 6 p.m. Sunday. 

Williamson says seven engines, two type 1 helicopters, one type 3 helicopter, three air tankers and one hand crew are responding to the fire.

There is no estimated containment at this time, the cause of the fire is under investigation.