Wildfire — Sun Valley Region, Idaho

2022-09-01 to 2022-09-30 · Sun Valley Region, Idaho

Event narrative

The Ross Fark wildfire began in Camas County August 14th and spread into Blaine and Custer Counties in late August into early September. It was timber litter, timber and short grass that fueled the fire. By September 4th the fire expanded from 3 thousand acres to over 5 thousand acres. Blaine County Sherriff's office issued a mandatory evacuation notice on September 4th for the Sawtooth City, Smiley Creek, Lake Alturas, and the Beaver Creek areas in the Stanley Basin all cabins and campgrounds. State Highway 75 was shut down 5 miles south and north of Smiley Creek. A disaster declaration was declared on September 6th by Blaine County. The fire had grown to 14 thousand acres by September 6th. Local engines from Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey, Wood River Fire and Rescue and Bellevue were assigned to protect buildings around Smiley Creek and Alturas Lake. on September 5th. By the 7th the fire had run to and across highway 75. By the 7th Type 2 team was assigned. Two structures were burned down. By September 7th the following access to lakes and drainages were closed: Pettit Lake and Trailhead, Yellowbelly Lake, Pole Creek, Upper Salmon River Headwaters, Frenchman Creek, and Alturas Lake. Air quality became very unhealthy in Smiley Creek, Haily and Ketchum due to the smoke from the fire. FEMA authorized federal funds to help with firefighting costs which neared 6 million dollars. The fire grew to over 31 thousand acres by the 8th with much of the fire growth caused by high winds. Highway 75 remained closed between mile markers 146 and 172. By September10th the fire caused Galena Lodge to be closed for the season due to the fire as it reached over 35 thousand acres. By mid September the fire reached close to 38 thousand acres and stopped growing and was 64 percent contained by the end of the month and closures were greatly reduced.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1055873. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.