Single Publication

Wapiti Fire Statistics

• Size: 125,965 acres
• Completion: 78%
• Total Personnel: 242
• Location: near Grandjean, ID
• Reported: July 24, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

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

Special Emphasis: This evening, Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) #4 will transition command of the Wapiti and Frog Fires to Great Basin CIMT #3, who will be the sixth CIMT assigned to the Wapiti Fire. On behalf of Team #4, thank you to the communities, partners, stakeholders, and landowners who worked with us and supported us throughout our assignment. 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the Stanley Basin is rated yellow/moderate today which indicates acceptable air quality but very sensitive people could be impacted and may want to limit outdoor exposure. You can check air quality and the AirNow Fire and Smoke Map at https://www.airnow.gov/. 

With the changing of the closure areas, please ensure you check the boundaries prior to recreating or traveling. Many trails remain closed for public safety because they have not been cleared of potential hazards. The collection of firewood within the closure areas is prohibited; any firewood collection in open areas must be done with a valid firewood permit. For questions on firewood collection on the Sawtooth National Forest, please contact the Stanley Ranger Station at 208.774.3000. 

Weather: Yesterday’s winds were slightly muted compared to forecasts by the smoke that drifted over the Stanley Basin from other Idaho fires. Gusts between 20 and 40 mph were recorded over the Wapiti Fire area. Gusts of 50 to 60 mph were recorded over the Frog Fire area. Activity on both fires was minimal despite the winds. Today will be cooler and relative humidity will rise.

Current Situation: Fire crews and engines were spread throughout the fire area yesterday to monitor fire activity and respond as necessary. Smoke from other fires in the state acted like cloud cover to shade out the Wapiti Fire, and the fire was not as active as predicted. Winds were still strong enough to limit aviation flights. Early in the day, one helicopter was sent to assist with the Valley Fire burning just east of Boise, ID; it is expected to return today. Today, firefighters will continue suppression repair work near Stanley Lake. They are nearly complete with repair, having completed 27.9 miles of dozer line and 21.3 miles of handline. The fire perimeter right now measures at 324 miles. 

Big Meadows was again the most active portion of the fire area yesterday. The fire continues to grow west, through heavy timber. Where the fire has been actively burning north of Bull Trout Lake, firefighters will return to continue working directly along the fire perimeter with help from helicopters dropping water on the flames. Last night, flames were visible above Trap Creek. The fire is burning through previous unburned vegetation interior to the main fire perimeter. At this time it does not cause concern to fire managers. Firefighters will continue to monitor it. Today’s moderated weather conditions will help in calming fire activity again as well. 

Evacuations: Evacuation status for Stanley Zone 1 is currently at READY. All residents should remain alert for any change in conditions that may reinitiate an evacuation status. Sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications: text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF. Sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notifications at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163. 

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

Closures: The Wapiti Fire area closure has been reduced on the southern end, excluding the Lowman, Ten Ax, Two Raven, and Sourdough communities. The closure still covers portions of the Sawtooth, Boise, and Salmon-Challis National Forests. Please reference the map and description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idbof-wapiti-fire. Recreationalists and hunters should reference this map and obey all posted signage regarding the closure area and any related road, trail, and campground closures. 

An interactive map for all closures on the Boise National Forest is found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/642380b0eb124c8cab6bd9ad3d7146ad/page/Overview/# data_s=id%3AdataSource_5-1888bd00a2c-layer-13-1888bd00b53-layer-16%3A82.