UPDATE: Evacuations for town of Dubois lifted

UPDATE 7/29/18 8:05 A.M.: The evacuation for Dubois has been lifted this morning. Favorable winds last night allowed firefighters to directly attack the fire from the northeast.

Firefighters have directly lined the entire perimeter of the fire.

Crews are still working to hold, improve and secure those lines.

Thunderstorms this afternoon are expected this afternoon, bringing erratic winds and the potential to stoke the fire.

According to the BLM the fire is about 20 percent contained.

The Red Cross says the shelter at Hamer Elementary school will be placed on standby Sunday morning after evacuation orders lifted and will be ready reopen the shelter quickly if the need arises.

UPDATE 7/29/18 2:30 a.m. The Grassy Ridge Fire is about 1.5 to 2 miles outside of Dubois.

At last check, sheriffs office said fire crews were holding the line and winds had dies down a little, helping efforts.

UPDATE 11:00 p.m.: The fire is now at about 115,000 acres. A Type II Incident Management Team has arrived and are transitioning into managing the fire.

Fire departments throughout eastern Idaho are sending fire engines to protect the town. Law enforcement from surrounding agencies are assisting in the process.

Please stay away from the fire areas. The roads need to be clear for the evacuees and responding personnel. If you try to enter these areas or interfere you will be arrested. Please stay away.

Please do not donate any food or other items unless they are specifically asked for by the American Red Cross. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the American Red Cross.

UPDATE 9:35 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management reports the Grassy Ridge Fire is 2.5 miles from Dubois.

Farmers, ranchers, county fire, volunteer fire & Camas RFPA are all working with federal firefighters to protect Dubois.

Officials say firefighters will conduct burn out operations in the next hour to stop the fire’s progress to Dubois.

Here is a statement from a resident of Dubois, who was evacuated. She wished to remain anonymous, but here is what she said: “It was just a normal day, just heard water trucks driving by. The smoke was filling the house. It was about 6:40 p.m. when the state police came to tell us we had to evacuate. They said we only had 25 minutes to grab what we could and leave….I grabbed my kids and clothes and left. We don’t know if we will be able to go back soon, we were not given any information, just that we had to leave. I feel sad, we have so many new things in our home and we don’t want to lose our house. We don’t want to start from the bottom so now we wait and hope that we have our home in town to go back to.”

ORIGINAL:

The entire town of Dubois is being evacuated due to the Grassy Ridge Fire.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said the evacuations are effective immediately, as of about 7 p.m. Saturday night.

Homeowners are being advised to leave their homes immediately.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said to evacuate via I-15 north or south.

Dispatch reports have engines responding to structures that are threatened.

No estimated time on when homeowners may be allowed to return.

The Grassy Ridge Fire jumped to more than 71,000 acres Friday night and is still spreading rapidly.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office said it is working with Bonneville County Emergency Management to set up shelters for the evacuees.

Red Road is closed from the sand dunes to the Kilgore Road. Grassy Ridge road is closed. Clark County has closed the A2 road to the junction of Red Road. Ranchers are still being let in to get cows. You can still travel to Kilgore by taking the Spencer-Idmon Road.

Stay with KIFI/KIDK for updates as we learn more.