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KETCHUM
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North Blaine County Fire District PG 6 BELLEVUE
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WOOD RIVER WEEKLY
YOUR VOICE IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY
Free | September 7 - 20, 2022 | Vol. 3 - No. 18 | woodriverweekly.com
Thank you firefighters!
ABLAZE IN BLAINE
A mutual aid request for additional firefighting assistance was called in by the Smiley Creek fire chief on Sunday, Sept. 4, as the Ross Fork Fire continued to grow in renewed hot, dry, windy conditions, threatening homes and structures in the area. Photo credit: SVFD
Wildfire, structure fire uproot Valley residents By Eric Valentine
U
nder a smoke-filled Valley sky that, as of Tuesday morning, hit an ‘unhealthy’ 187 on the air quality index, let’s start with some good news about the blazes in and around Blaine County. A two-fire onslaught—one a wildfire, the other a structure fire—has not taken any human lives. And the wildfire part of that onslaught has thus far only spurred home evacuations, not housing devastation. Meanwhile, the folks who reside, recreate, and do business across the Valley seem to be pulling together to help those in harm’s way. Already, accommodations for those displaced, clothing and essential items, and financial support are coming together via local organizations (see this article’s sidebar The Help List). And then there’s the news that isn’t bad—yet, and hopefully never. “This is deeply concerning,” said North Valley resident Dave Concannon on Facebook, who as a fellow of The Explorers Club is no stranger to challenge or adventure. “Since my post two days ago, the Ross Fork Fire has nearly quadrupled in size and is only 4% contained. Plus, the winds have shifted and are now out of the northwest, which means the smoke and fire have moved this way. I have been chained to my desk all weekend, working 55 hours since Friday, but preparing for this has now become my top priority. If my clients who are reading this are eager to get back to work after their weekend or summer holidays, please understand if I am not quick to return your calls.”
Ross Fork Fire On Monday, a Type 2 Incident Management Team arrived in the Sawtooth Valley, bringing more personnel and equipment to fight the now 14,000-acre blaze. Blaine County Sheriff’s Office had already ordered a mandatory evacuation over the weekend for residents and visitors in the area spanning Smiley Creek, Sawtooth City, Beaver Creek and Alturas Lake. For families like Concannon’s, the situation is more of a mandatory state of limbo. “We may start ferrying valuables and vehicles down to Hailey today,” Concannon said around 8 a.m. Tuesday. By 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Office posted this: “At this time Highway 75 is open to the public, however, it may close at any time. If fire activity increases with higher temperatures and wind it may be closed for the safety of the public and fire personnel.” In addition to the Sheriff’s Facebook page, the following Facebook pages also serve as reliable and current information: • U.S. Forest Service-Sawtooth National Forest • Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
PET
Continued FIRES Page 2
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