Single Publication

Fire Location:

• Wapiti: 2 miles SE of Grandjean 
• Bulltrout: 35 miles NE of Lowman 

Size: 

• Wapiti: 448 acres  
• Bulltrout: 271 acres 

Containment: 

• Wapiti: 0% 
• Bulltrout: 55% 

Personnel: 

• Wapiti: 51
• Bulltrout: 95 

Start Date:

• Wapiti: 7/24/2024 
• Bulltrout:7/25/2024 

Cause:

• lightning

Incident Commander: 

• Mike Johnston, Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team #7 

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Summary: The Wapiti and Bulltrout fires resulted from a lightning storm on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.On July 31st an incident management team was delegated the West Mountain Complex which includes the Boulder, Wapiti and Bulltrout Fires on the Boise National Forest and the Wolf Creek Fire on the Payette National Forest. A full suppression strategy is being utilized on these lightning-caused fires. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority for fire managers. 

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior: Temperatures in the fire areas will remain in the 70s today, with relative humidities dipping to less than 20%. Strong westerly winds are expected, with sustained speeds of around 15mph. Stronger gusts are possible. 

Actions:  Resources are identified and prepared for initial attack. Aircraft will be ready to support firefighters on the ground for any new fire starts.  

Wapiti Fire: With a potential increase in fire activity expected, firefighting crews remain engaged in implementing appropriate tactics give the fuel and terrain with the highest probability of success protecting the private property in the area. The predicted change in wind direction will produce gusty and erratic winds that will increase fire activity. 

Bulltrout Fire: The Bulltrout Fire continues to burn in isolated areas in steep terrain with areas of heavy dead and down fuel. Containment increased again on the fire yesterday. The decrease in acreage reflects more accurate mapping. Firefighting crews continue to work to strengthen containment lines, mop up, and initiate repair.

Important Information: For the Wapiti Fire, the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests have issued a closure order for roads, trails and lands encompassing the Wapiti Fire. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities. The closure affects interior travel on several National Forest System roads such as NFS Grandjean Road #524 and the Warm Springs Air Strip. Additional information about these closures can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7

For the Bulltrout Fire, the Boise and Salmon‐Challis National Forests have issued a closure order for roads, trails and lands encompassing the Bulltrout Fire. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities. This closure includes National Forest System (NFS) Roads #579, #582 and several others. There are no disruptions in access to the Boundary Creek Boat Launch.  NFS Road #579 is open in its entirety from Highway 21 to NFS Road #568 to the Boundary Creek Boat Launch. Risk to responders and public safety remain the highest priority for the incident management team. Additional information about these closures can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7. The Boise National Forest is working on a reduction on the closure order area. This information will be shared when the new order is finalized. 

The evacuation of the Grandjean area and the Sawtooth Lodge remains in place and the incident management team is in close coordination with the Boise County Sheriff’s Office.

For timely information on evacuations, check out your county’s emergency alert system.  For Boise County, sign up for notifications from Alert Sense at: https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=1163.

Both fires are adjacent to Highway 21 which is a popular travel route in Central Idaho. With the influx of vehicles in the area from fire and support personnel, please use extreme caution when traveling along Highway 21 between Stanley and Lowman, to help ensure fire crews safety while working. 

The Boise National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management are in Stage 1 fire restrictions on state, endowment, private and federal lands within the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Zone. For more information on the restrictions and a map visit: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/