Evacuation order to be lifted Friday morning
UPDATE: 12:46 a.m. 8-17
The Ross Fork fire on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation has now burned into the previous Big Horse fire. People who were forced to evacuate the area overnight will be allowed to return home at 10 a.m. Friday.
Fort Hall Fire Chief Brian Briggs said back burn operations overnight were successful. Firefighters are now focusing on building a double-fire suppression line around the impacted area.
The fire has so far burned an estimate 2,480 acres. The Bureau of Land Management reports the fire is about 80 percent contained and should be fully contained Saturday. There are currently 15 engines on the front line cooling off isolated hot spots.
40 homes were evacuated Thursday night as the fire burned to within a quarter mile of the nearest structure.
The cause of the fire is believed to be started by UTV’s driving over dry grass.
Briggs extended thanks to the many fire agencies who responded in support of the Fort Hall department last night.
All of Ross Fork road is closed and Simplot road is closed from Sands to Ross Fork.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Evacuations are in place for those who live in the Ross Fork Creek District Area as a wildland fire is threatening structures.
Access to the area is limited, and roadblocks are in place to keep individuals out of the hazard area.
The Tribal Emergency Operations Center is activated and additional assistance has been provided by the Bureau of Land Management, Pocatello Fire, Chubbuck Fire Department, Fort Hall Police, Tribal Corrections, Tribal Transportation, Tribal Business Council and the Executive Office.
Updates will be provided as the situation progresses.
Tribal Resources are requesting that people stay out of the area.
