Single Publication

Fire Statistics:

• Size: 125,476 acres
• Completion: 72%
• Total Personnel: 353
• Location: near Grandjean, ID
• Reported: July 24, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For more information:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024

Special Updates: With Highway 21 now open to the public, drivers are urged to drive with caution when traveling between Lowman and Stanley as personnel continue to work along the highway.  Please keep your headlights on, drive at the reduced speed limit, and watch for hazards in the road, such as rocks and downed trees. Be prepared for traffic control measures and pilot cars, particularly in areas where the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) may be working to replace guardrails. The area closure is still in place, which affects several roads leading from Highway 21. Access is open to Boundary Creek. The locations of the main fire camp and smaller camps adjacent to Highway 21 are well signed to alert to traffic entering and exiting the roadway; please drive cautiously.

Weather:  The weather is generally becoming drier across the two fires with the warmer weather moving in. However, winds have decreased and are expected to be light, 5 -10 mph.

Current Situation:  Firefighters continue work to repair fire suppression actions. Smoke will be visible from areas where fire is smoldering in heavy downed timber, and flames may also be seen coming from internal pockets of unburned fuel within the fire’s existing perimeter. Firefighters are actively working in all areas of the fire and will take appropriate actions to limit fire spread. 

On the western portion of the fire, repair work is occurring around the Bull Trout and Lowman areas and is expected to be completed in the next two days. A plan is being put together and equipment ordered to repair the debris flows near Grandjean to open the roadways. At this time, there is no estimate when the road will be passable. An assessment will be made to determine the repair work needed in the Chapman Creek and Eight-Mile Ridge area. 

To the north, crews are working around the Boy Scout Camp and Cape Horn area and are expected to have that repair work completed in the next one to two days.  Miscellaneous repair work near Homestead and Crooked Creek is continuing. Resources on the east of the fire will continue to monitor the area around the Stanley Lake area and any increase in fire activity that may require additional suppression actions.  

On the eastern side of the fire, repair work along the 210 road near the Goat Falls area continues with dozer line repair and the collection and piling of logs.  About a week of work remains in this area.  

Evacuations:  Evacuation status for Stanley Zone 1 is currently at READY. Stanley Zones 2 – 5 and Kasino are no longer in an evacuation status. To sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications, text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll online at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF. 

All evacuation levels have been lifted for Boise County; residents should continue to be alert for any change in conditions which could cause a return of evacuation status. To sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notifications, enroll online 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 but still covers portions of the Sawtooth, Boise, and Salmon 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. 

Residents and visitors should also be aware of the closure for the Middle Fork Complex, found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.