Avalanche destroys 2 Wood River homes

An avalanche, probably including one or two slides, pushed through a stand of 150-year-old Douglas fir in the Wood River Valley at around 2 p.m. Monday. According to the Sawtooth Avalanche Center, the avalanche destroyed two homes and brushed a third. No one was injured.

The Center said the slides blocked the Warm Springs Road.

The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office said a second avalanche happened at around 6:45 p.m. Monday on Warm Springs Road, west of Ketchum. They said no homes or vehicles were involved and there were no reported injuries.

The Sheriff’s office is asking non-residents to stay out of the area and encourages anyone living in the area not to wait for evacuation orders if they feel like they are in danger.

Heavy snow and rain are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions in the Sawtooth range. The Avalanche Center said avalanche danger is high and could impact trails, roads and structures. People are advised to stay out from below all sleep slopes. They warn avalanches may run long distances, into flat areaas and mature forests.