Single Publication

Wapiti Fire Statistics:

• Size: 125,448 acres
• Containment: 13%
• Total Personnel: 981
• 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

Special Notes: Due to ongoing fire activity and the potential hazards caused by rainfall within the burned area, State Highway 21 will remain closed east of Lowman to Stanley from MP84 (Sourdough Lodge) to MP126 (Stanley Lake turnoff). The Idaho Transportation Department is working closely with the Boise County Sheriff, USDA Forest Service and the Fire Management Team to repair any damage to the roadway, and clear debris and hazard trees. An alternative route exists through Highway 75 for those travelling to and from Stanley. Widespread wildfire activity has resulted in numerous forest closures. Hunters and recreationalists should carefully check the latest closure information before planning activities to ensure they can safely enjoy their time outdoors.

Current Situation: Rains and cooler temperatures have tempered fire activity, but crews continue to focus on protecting values at risk along the Highway 21 corridor above Lowman, with a special emphasis on the homes adjacent to the fire’s edge. Firefighters continue to diligently survey the areas behind houses and subdivisions for hotpots that could reignite when the cloud cover dissipates, and warmer temperatures return. By proactively identifying and extinguishing these hidden embers, they help reduce the chance that the fire will spread further and potentially endanger homes and property. Hose lays and pumps are checked daily to ensure everything is working in proper order and can be deployed if necessary. As clouds lifted, visibility improved, and air operations resumed Friday afternoon. Fire managers anticipate ceasing night operations Sunday evening ahead of the forecasted rain.  

Incident Managers and Agency Administrators from the Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands continue to meet daily to evaluate firefighting efforts and incident goals and objectives. 

Division KK (Structure Group East) and HH: Infrared data, combined with personal observation, make fire managers comfortable with initiating some repair efforts on the suppression line within the Iron Creek area along Highway 75. Repair work consists of assessing where hand and bulldozer lines were placed and redistributing soil and other vegetation across the bare dirt to limit visible disturbances and soil erosion on the ground. Firefighters will remove hoses, pumps and other firefighting equipment, returning them to fire caches to be cleaned and shipped to other incidents across the West. 

Division DD: Crews removed supplies no longer needed for fire suppression efforts and checked Redfish Lake Complex, Goat Falls, Stanley, and Stanley Ranger District for any remaining heat near the containment lines. In the Sawtooth Wilderness the fire remains contained by rock scree in drainages.

Divisions MM and PP: Fire crews continued to extinguish hot spots around Bull Trout Lake & Campground and Martin Lake north to Highway 21. Crews started removing structure protection at the Camp Bradley Boy Scout Camp. The area between Cape Horn and Copper Mountain received heavy precipitation with Thursday’s weather event and remains damp following recent rains.

Division WW and Structure Group West: Resources scouted 8-Mile Ridge and Warm Springs by foot on Friday and reported that the fire had not spread. They will continue to keep watch around the Warm Spring Guard Station and 8-Mile Ridge for fire progression that could compromise contingency lines. Structure protection remains in place. Crews are alert for potential fire growth towards Sourdough and have completed structure protection in the communities along the Highway 21 corridor, in the Bear Creek and Wapiti Summer Homes, and around Sawtooth Lodge. 

Division VV: Low temperatures and precipitation contributed to limited fire activity. The containment line continues to hold on lower Chapman Creek.

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior: On Saturday expect low 70s in the valleys and 60s on the ridgetops. Saturday will see a drying trend and potential for increased fire activity. Expect daytime temperatures in the high 40s to low 60s. Winds will be 15-20 mph out of the west south-west on the ridgetops and 8-12 mph in the valleys. Another round of moisture is expected early next week. 

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/. 

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

To sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notification enroll online at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163 

Closures and Fire Restrictions: 

The Middle Fork Complex Fire Closure Order is amended to provide consistency with the Wapiti Fire Closure. This amended order, Forest Order #0402-06-64, closes the 582 and 563 roads, as well as the 579 road from its junction with 563 eastward to the junction with Highway 21. More information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices

State Highway 21 remains closed from MP84 to MP126 for public and firefighter safety.

A Wapiti Fire Area Closure / Forest Order: 0414-04-151 for portions of the Boise, Sawtooth, and Salmon-Challis National Forests can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/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 federal, state, and private lands may be found at this site: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/

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.