Grassy Ridge fire actively burning, firefighters improving and securing perimeter around fire
UPDATE 7/29/18 8:00 P.M.: According to Great Basin Type Two, the Grassy Ridge Fire is estimated at 97,000 acres.
Fremont County Sheriff’s Office opened up the southbound lanes on Sunday for Red Road to allow campers and others to drive out of the area. The northbound lanes remain closed Sunday for fire and local rancher traffic only to facilitate ranchers in locating and removing their herds to safer allotments/acreage. The A2 Road remain closed as well.
Fire activity remained active this afternoon in the northwest sector of the fire along the A2 Road as firefighters continued firing operations to remove unburnt fuel between fire containment lines and the active main body of the fire.
UPDATE 7/29/18 12:30 P.M.: Firefighters across the region continue to fight the ‘Grassy Ridge Fire’ as 20 percent is contained.
As of Sunday afternoon, their focus is holding the line they’ve established. Bureau of Land Management say that a possible risk of thunderstorms on Sunday night may be a problem.
A concern is the northeast corner because there is unburned vegetation, according to BLM.
UPDATE 7/29/18 8:05 A.M.: Firefighters across the region fought the Grassy Ridge fire successfully protecting the town of Dubois overnight.
Evacuations for the town have been lifted this morning.
According to the Bureau of Land Management, firefighters did not have to burn out around the town of Dubois.
Firefighters have 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.
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 10:55 p.m. Fremont County Emergency Management reports the Grassy Ridge Fire has now burned over 115,000 acres and is actively burning.
A Type II Incident Management Team has arrived and is transitioning into managing the fire.
As a precautionary measure, the town of Dubois is being evacuated.
Fire departments throughout eastern Idaho are sending fire engines to protect the town.
Law enforcement from surrounding agencies are assisting in the process.
Officials ask you stay away from the fire areas. The roads need to be clear for the evacuees and responding personnel.
Officials say if you try to enter these areas or interfere you will be arrested.
Fremont County Emergency Management asks you 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 7/28/18 8:12 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management reports the Grassy Ridge Fire has grown to 75,698 acres.
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.
Multiple county and rural fire departments are assisting.
Retardant is being dropped on the fire.
Clark County Sheriffs are evacuating Dubois.
UPDATE 7/28/18 4:05 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management reports the Grassy Ridge Fire has grown to 71,600 acres.
The fire is 20 percent contained.
Fire officials confirmed that cows were killed in the fire.
The number of cows that were killed has not been determined and the owner has been notified.
Eastern Idaho Interagency Dispatch Center continues to work closely with county, local and volunteer fire departments along with the Camas Creek Rural Fire Protection Association in fighting the fire.
UPDATE 7/28/18 10:00 a.m. The Bureau of Land Management reports the Grassy Ridge Fire has grown to 60,000 acres.
Officials say it burned actively all through the night Friday and was propelled by erratic winds and thunder cells.
A Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered.
Red Road remains closed from St. Anthony to Kilgore.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office asks you stay away from the schools as they are being used as staging areas for fire personnel.
Officials say there are going to be additional people and equipment coming in Saturday to help fight the fire on the desert.
UPDATE 7/27/18 9:30 p.m.: Th Bureau of Land Management reports the Grassy Ridge Fire has grown to 15,360 acres.
The fire is burning very actively to the north and continues to shift depending on wind direction.
Officials say the fire is 20 percent contained.
There is no estimated containment.
Red Road is closed from the sand dunes to the Kilgore Road.
10 engines from BLM, USFS, BIA and IDL, 4 dozers and a handcrew are fighting the fire. Multiple county and rural fire departments are assisting.
Multiple retardant drops were made by one large air tanker and single-engine air tanker.
The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office asks you stay away from the schools as they are being used as staging areas for fire personnel.
Officials say there are going to be additional people and equipment coming in Saturday to help fight the fire on the desert.
ORIGINAL:
The Grassy Ridge fire 15 miles northwest of St. Anthony is continuing to burn actively towards the northwest and east in grass and brush.
In its latest assessment, the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (EIIFC) estimates the size of the lightning- caused fire at 4,400 acres and 30 percent contained.
Nine engines and three dozers have been assigned to the fire.
The fire started at around 3 p.m. Thursday off the Red Road. The southwest side of the fire burned into the old Red Road fire Thursday night. EIIFC said firefighters and dozers worked into the early morning hours, but could not knock down the fire.
