BOISE, Idaho — A wildfire near Grandjean continues to threaten an iconic lodge in the Sawtooth Wilderness. Several structures around Sawtooth Lodge have burned, though people who love going there do not know how badly.
"It's been heartbreaking," Mary Grandjean said.
The Grandjeans consider the area her homeland. In July, three generations gathered for their annual reunion at the lodge where her grandfather once lived.
He worked for the forest service and is the man the Boise County area is named after.
"It became his ranger station in about 1908, which now the lodge," Grandjean said. "There have been fires around it, you know, through the years, but nothing that's come this close."
Lodge manager Jesse Buhler said the Wapiti Fire has burned three structures on the property. He has not been able to get back in to check since the road is closed, and the area is still active.
"It sounds like maybe one of the bathroom structures, potentially a yurt, and then potentially some of our power grid," he said.
The more than 17,000-acre fire is also hitting their bottom line. The remote getaway, where people rent cabins, yurts, and camping and RV spaces, is open only seasonally.
Buhler said they have lost $150,000 in revenue. That number will double if they have to stay closed.
"It's been tough," he said. "We had to lay off our staff and then also cancel reservations."
This is not the first time nature has threatened the lodge. In the last several years, more wildfires have spread through the area, and there have been floods, mudslides, and thousands of earthquakes.
She is confident the main lodge, with roughly 100 years of history, will stay standing. Although she predicted it will be a "difficult road back" that will require lots of community support.
"Regardless of its condition, it's going to be beautiful to me," she said. "I am 100% confident this is going to be a silver lining recovery for Grandjean and the Sawtooth Lodge."
Already, people of many ages are stepping up to help. So far, they have raised more than $6,000 over GoFundMe.
Buhler said people are also booking reservations for next summer, which is a big help. Guests are also moving their reservations from this year to the next.
The Forest Service told KTVB crews are working to protect the rest of the structures at the lodge. Buhler said he is grateful for the firefighters working to protect the place, which means so much to so many.
"We're not done," Buhler said. "We want to stay open. And you know, with our history, like we're not giving up."
The lightning-caused fire, which is 10% contained, has also burned seven cabins at Wapiti Summer Homes.