UPDATE: Henry’s Creek Fire more than 52,200 acres
UPDATE 08/25/16 10 pm: The Henry’s Creek Fire is burning 52,233 acres and is 30 percent contained. The Great Basin Fire Team 7 took over the fire Wednesday night. The fire grew in the Tex Creek and Indian Fork drainage.
For the most recent closure information you can check out this map provided by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office.
UPDATE 8/24/2016 9:00 pm: As the Henry’s Creek Fire moves eastward toward Fall Creek, the Bonneville County Sheriff is warning residents along the south side of the Snake River to be ready to evacuate if the fire turns towards homes.
In a reverse 911 call people living on the south side of the river from Swan Valley River Bridge to Palisades Dam and the Bear Creek Summer Home Area were asked to be ready to go just in case. The sheriff’s office says these areas are at risk and want people to have ample time to prepare.
Update 08/24/2016 11:00 am: Work continues this morning on the Henry’s Creek Fire. According to Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s office, the bulk of the fire is in the Tex Creek and Meadow Creek area. Winds continue to be an issue for crews as the wind has shifted the fire to move East and South.
No homes are threatened or at risk at this time but crews continue to monitor homes in the area as the fire moves.
Sheriff’s Office Deputies are working with property owners and ranchers from the Bone area to the Fall Creek area on getting property and cattle taken care of safely. Any cattle owners that have not coordinated with the Sheriff’s Office are asked to contact dispatch at 208-529-1200 and request a Deputy working that area.
Update 08/23/2016 10:20 pm: The Henry’s Creek Fire continues to grow as fire managers now estimate the fire to cover 43,235 acres. There are three active fire heads pushing east from Ririe Reservoir.
Due to high winds and low visibility Tuesday dropping retardant and water on the fire proved difficult and hindered control efforts.
Some secondary buildings and outlying structures have been damaged. Still no injuries have been reported.
On Wednesday the Great Basin Incident Management Team 7 will be taking command of the Henry’s Creek Fire
Update 8/23/2016 1:30 pm: As the Henry’s Creek Fire continues to grow volunteer groups are telling people they do not need physical donations of goods.Eastern Idaho Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster and their partners, which includes the Bonneville County Emergency Services and the American Red Cross, have asked people to not send any physical donations in relation to the Henry Creek fire.
There have been no residences lost so far in the fire in the Ammon region. If this changes, they ask that monetary donations go the American Red Cross, and that people wait to hear what is needed before donating any physical items.
Original Story: The Henry’s Creek Fire grew to over 25,000 acres Tuesday morning and is listed as 15 percent contained. The fire is now over 17 miles long. The fire was originally reported as the Blackhawk Estates Fire when it was first reported Sunday in the foothills near Blackhawk Estates.
The BLM says “The rough terrain is making dozer and ground access difficult, but crews continue to make progress. The Henrys Creek Fire is considered the number two fire in the Eastern Great Basin, which allows us the ability to pull critical resources from the region to our area. Air resources including air attack, Single Engine Air Tankers, Helicopters and Super Scoopers are providing much needed assistance”
The fire made a major push overnight to the northeast jumping Meadow Creek, about six miles south of Highway 26. Idaho Falls Fire Department says the fire burned two cabins in the night but no one was injured.
Private landowners who need to get into the closure area are asked to contact Bonneville County at 208-529-1200 to coordinate those efforts. The Sheriff’s Office has been working with ranchers to relocate cattle that may be impacted by the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation but BLM officials believe the fire was caused by a human since there has been no lightning in the area.
An evacuation order is in effect for people living in the Sunnyside/Bone Area down to Kepps Crossing. The following areas are also closed while crews fight the fire:
Intersection of Bone and Lincoln
East Sunnyside from Crescent Drive
Ririe Reservoir(including Blacktail)
Tex Creek
Meadow Creek
Fall Creek
Fall Creek Road
Long Valley Road
The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office will be monitoring these closures and will not let anyone enter the area of the fire. Several near misses occurred on the roads Monday night as cars continued to drive up Lincoln Road and Highway 26 to get views of the fire.
There has been some concern by groups on social media on how crews responded to fire when it began Sunday. Today the BLM, Idaho Falls Fire District, and Idaho Falls Fire Department issued this statement:
“There are pockets throughout the Henry’s Creek and BlackHawk areas that are not covered by the BLM, Idaho Falls Fire Department or the Bonneville County Fire District. Idaho Falls Fire Department responded to a small 4-acre fire on Saturday evening. On Sunday, smoke was reported near the same area. Due to strong winds, dry fuel and low humidity, the fire spread rapidly and the BLM, IFFD, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and surrounding departments were called in at that time to assist. At no point during the Sunday operations did the Incident Commanders turn away any local fire departments who came to help. Fire personnel have been very appreciative of private individuals who have coordinated their efforts to safely fight the fire on private lands. Tankers, planes, and additional equipment steadily arrived throughout the day on Sunday and Monday and positioned themselves tactically to fight the rapid growing fire. The fire is now being managed as a Unified Command between the Bureau of Land Management, Bonneville County Sherriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Fire Department. Additional crews arrived this morning, and a type 2 crew will arrive tonight to assist.”
