OWYHEE COUNTY, Idaho — The Big Grass Fire has burned over 579,000 acres since sparking on July 23, leading to several evacuations across Oregon and Idaho.
In an update Tuesday, fire officials said the fire is 93% contained. There are currently 334 personnel assigned to the fire.
Fire officials say a weather system producing dry lightning and increased winds resulted in seven new starts, five of which are inside the Temporary Flight Restriction area. In a statement Tuesday, officials said: "The Big Grass Fire incident commanders are in close communication with the Sheriff’s office to provide ample notice if these new starts threaten local communities."
Fire officials provided the following evacuation details:
"Level 3 Evacuations are in place for the following areas: Beginning near Sagebrush Mountain approximately 13 miles south of Jordan Valley and goes north from Pleasant Valley Road to Flint Creek Road. It follows the intersection with Bachman Grade Road, continues south, then east to Antelope-Ridge Road, excluding the Community of Triangle. It follows Antelope-Ridge Road southeast to Mud Flat Road, then to Big Springs Ranch Road, then to Battle Cr. Road, to Bybee Road, then south approximately 10 miles to the reservation boundary. It follows the boundary west, then south to 45 Ranch Road and west on 45 Ranch Road to the Oregon border, then north on the Oregon border to the starting point. Level 2 Evacuation Areas include the area south of the Level 3 evacuation between the Oregon State line to the west, Nevada State line to the south, and the reservation boundary to the east."
A Bureau of Land Management Temporary Closure Order for the area around the Big Grass Fire remains in effect until August 28; however, officials say the highways remain open for travel.
This is a developing story.
