The Wapiti Fire has burned 68,123 acres of the Boise National Forest in Idaho as of Monday morning, according to Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team officials. Aerial help is largely restricted as massive smoke plumes bellow into the sky.
The fire’s hottest spots were recorded on the eastern perimeter edge nearing the isolated town of Stanley, according to the NIFC‘s infrared imaging. Town residents are also expected to bear the brunt of the smoke from the Wapiti Fire and the other nearby Nelle, Bulldog, and Flat fires. An air quality alert is in effect until 3 p.m. Monday.
“Along HWY-21 from Lowman to Banner Creek Pass and Stanley, including the entire Sawtooth Valley, will have heaviest smoke impacts,” according to Monday’s smoke forecast. “Tomorrow into early mid-week, warming and drying conditions may lead to more active smoke production.”
Operations Section Chief Travis Lipp said helicopters were briefly able to assist with suppression efforts after the wildfire became significantly more active Sunday afternoon. A hotspot threatened to push eastward toward Highway 21 near Stanley, but two Type 1 helicopters dropped water to cool the fire’s edge.
Officials considered also ordering scooper planes to the fire, but smoke plumes and subsequent poor flying conditions forced officials to hold off on that order. Multiple recons, three Type 1 helicopters, and scoopers are on standby to assist with suppression efforts, but will have to wait until conditions clear up. Smoke forecasts indicate the plums won’t let up for days.
Structures in Stanley are being prepared for future burnout operations as officials prepare for potential northwest winds pushing smoke and flames even closer to the community.
“Those locally probably noticed some increased fire activity Sunday afternoon in the homestead area,” said Operations Section Chief Travis Lipp in a video Monday. “Crews were able to start putting fire on the ground along highway 21 and around the homestead community. That was continued on through the night into the early hours of this morning until conditions moderated. Today, we’re looking at continuing those burning operations when conditions allow.”
The Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon opened a shelter in Stanley for Custer and Boise county residents displaced by the fire, along with meals and emotional support. The shelter is at the Stanley Community Center, 510 Eva Falls Ave.
