Woodhead wildfire leads to evacuations, Idaho road closure as it burns 40,000 acres
The Woodhead Fire grew by about 12,000 acres overnight, now surpassing 40,000 acres burned, and authorities have started evacuations in some areas.
The Idaho fire started Monday and 188 personnel were on scene Friday combating the blaze, north of Idaho Highway 71 from Mill Creek to West Pine. The cause of the fire remains unknown and it’s about 14% contained, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
“Fire activity did increase around midday Thursday, once the inversion started to break,” according to BLM. “Similar weather conditions are expected (Friday).”
Evacuations are in place for Goodrich, Grizzly Creek, Cow Creek, Rush Creek, East Pine, Advent Gulch, Woodhead, West Fork, Seid Creek, the Highway 71 corridor, and Mill Creek and Horse Flat Roads.
Highway 71 remains closed between Cambridge and the Oregon state line. The Payette National Forest has issued an area closure for the safety of firefighters and the public.
“Utility equipment and firefighting vehicles are actively working along Highway 71,” according to a BLM news release. “Evacuations will be lifted by the Washington County Sheriff once fire managers are certain the fire perimeter near private property is contained.”
Residents may be escorted in to care for animals; contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 208-414-2121. Evacuees may go to the Cambridge High School Gym. The American Red Cross is available at 800-853-2570 for assistance.
The full closure area description and map are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7163/.
This story was originally published September 11, 2020 at 3:09 PM.
