So far this year, 601,640 acres have burned in Idaho wildfires. The National Interagency Fire Center reports there are 10 large wildfires burning in the state, including some that have caused evacuations. With so much quickly-changing fire information, here's an update on some of the wildfires we've been talking about recently.
Beaver Creek Fire: After a few days as the nation's top priority wildfire last weekend, fire managers are confident they have turned the corner on this blaze. Many residents who were under mandatory evacuations have been able to return to their neighborhoods. Just this morning, homes in the Croy Creek Canyon and Greenhorn Gulch areas were allowed to return home.
UPDATE....AUGUST 22, 2013 11:15 a.m. RETURN NOTIFICATION At this time the Blaine County Sheriff is announcing that the following area will be returning from Mandatory Evacuation to Pre-Evacuation status Effective 11:15 a.m. Thursday August 22, 2013 **Croy Creek Canyon from Big Wood Bridge west to Red Elephant Gulch Rd. will return to Pre-Evacuation. Note: Residents only will be allowed in this area. Effective 10:45 a.m. Thursday August 22, 2013 **Greenhorn Gulch, Golden Eagle, and Timber Gulch south down to Greenhorn Bridge will be allowed to return to Pre-Evacuation. Note: Residents only will be allowed in these areas. Please maintain situational awareness and be prepared to depart again IMMEDIATELY should conditions change.
Little Queens Fire: This fire started on Aug. 17 in Elmore County. InciWeb reports it remains uncontained and is about three miles from the historic town of Atlanta, Idaho. Almost 250 people have been assigned to fight the Little Queens Fire. It's not clear what started the 10,352 acre fire, but with national fire resources at their most stretched in five years this blaze is dangerous. Atlanta's 65 homes are under mandatory evacuations, but about 35 homeowners have decided to stay and protect their homes. There is a community meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Thursday at the Highway Department in Atlanta.
Elk Complex: This complex of wildfires has destroyed the most homes so far this year in Idaho, 38 primary residencies were burned last week. The wildfire grew quickly and is one of the biggest fires in the state, burning 131,258 acres in the Boise National Forest. But firefighters have made significant progress on the Elk Complex this week, and it's now95 percent contained.
Pony Complex: This fire has scorched the most acres in Idaho so far this year. Sparked by lighting on Aug. 8, the blaze consumed 149,384 acres, and forced mandatory evacuations northeast of Mountain Home. But fire managers are reporting the complex is now fully contained.
Thunder City Fire: Spreading daily in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, this wildfire is largely burning uncontained. It was sparked by lighting in July, and has burned about 13,500 acres.
Gold Pan Fire: This wildfire has been burning for more than a month along the Idaho and Montana border. It's almost 30,000 acres in size and is burning uncontained in the forest. There are 280 people working on this fire.