BOISE, Idaho — Sawtooth National Recreation closed the Redfish Lake Complex in response to the growing Bench Lake Fire that is eight miles south of Stanley.
On July 14, the Forest Service updated the fire was at 150 acres and was 0% contained.
"Sawtooth National Recreation Area officials issued an emergency closure for the Bench Lake Fire (0414-04-147) July 12 for the Redfish Lake recreation complex, including the lodge and associated buildings, roads, trails, trailheads, and campgrounds in the area. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices for a map and more details on the closure order. Highway 75 remains open," the Forest Service stated.
As of July 13 at 6 p.m., the Forest Service reported to KTVB that the fire had grown to 150 acres and the terrain makes it difficult to bring in ground resources other than crews. additionally, Commander Steve Shaw, will assume command of operations July 14 at 6 p.m.
"The Logan Hot Shots are currently on site, and the Mormon Lake Hot Shots are due to arrive tomorrow afternoon. While aviation resources will continue their work and an additional Type 1 aircraft is inbound, on-the-ground resources are expected to play a bigger role in suppression efforts tomorrow," the Forest Service stated on July 13.
There are 76 types of resources working on containment.
The Blaine County Sheriff's office said at 2:14 p.m. on Friday that Sawtooth National Recreation Area Ranger Kirk Flannigan issued the emergency closure of Redfish Lake's lodge, buildings, roads, trails, trailheads, and campgrounds.
“We are letting folks know that the order is coming now in hopes of catching visitors before they head this direction,” Flannigan said in a news release. “With the concentration of fuels in the Sawtooth Wilderness, the unusual weather pattern we’re experiencing right now, and the proximity of the fire to a very popular recreation destination, we believe it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
As of Friday afternoon, the fire has burned 66 acres, and the cause of the fire is unknown, authorities said.
The sheriff's office said crews are using many resources, including "one engine crew, one Type 3 helicopter, one air attack aircraft, two water scooper aircraft, and a lead plane. A Type 2 helicopter with helicopter rappelers is en route to the incident."
The sheriff's office said the Bench Lake Fire first broke out around 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, one mile west of Redfish Lake.
On Thursday evening, the U.S. Forest Service sent a press release stating that the Custer County Sheriff's Office had to assist in an evacuation of Inlet Campground on the west side of Redfish Lake.
Around midnight on Thursday the fire was about 40 acres.
The Forest Service said a local Type 3 incident management team is managing the response to this wildfire.
A helicopter accident was also reported with the Bench Lake Fire on Friday morning. Little information is known at this time, but a helicopter incident did occur during the initial attack of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
On Friday, the sheriff's office said a Complex Incident Management Team will arrive on Saturday at 6 p.m. to lead fire efforts.
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