The Wapiti fire in Custer County has grown nearly nine times in size in one week, from 9,000 acres last Tuesday to 79,000 acres on Wednesday.
According to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, more than 800 people are working to fight the spread of the fire, but the wildfire is still 0% contained.
Idahoans across the state have watched as the area around Stanley — one of Idaho’s most iconic small towns — continues to burn. Images shared by law enforcement, government agencies and local residents show the picturesque area engulfed in smoke and flames.
The photos may be jarring to those who remember hiking beneath the towering Sawtooths, swimming in Redfish Lake or Stanley Lake, or grabbing a sandwich at Stanley Baking.
Or for those who grew up in Custer County.
Kathy Rodgers, chief dispatcher and public information officer for the Custer County Sheriff’s Office, known as “the office mom,” has been keeping Stanley fans up to date on the latest news. Every day, she posts photos and information on the sheriff’s Facebook page, while deputies in the field send her updates.
“We love the beauty of the area and the people of the area,” Rodgers told the Idaho Statesman by phone. “Our number one priority is to keep everyone safe and keep them updated as quickly as possible on everything that’s happening.”
Since a lightning bolt sparked the fire on July 24, it’s been an all-hands-on-deck month for law enforcement officials living in Custer County. In addition to the physical toll, it’s been emotionally taxing to watch the fire ravage their county, Rodgers said.
Earlier this summer, Rodgers and a few other Sheriff’s Office employees hosted an educational day at Stanley Lake. Rodgers said it was difficult when an officer sent in images of that same area covered in smoke and fire.
“When we saw the video and the pictures he posted when the fire started, it almost brought tears to our eyes because it touches our hearts,” Rodgers said.
Two officers living in Stanley with their young families had to evacuate and live in campers. Between monitoring fire activity, keeping traffic out of closed areas, and other duties, the officers had little time to spend with their loved ones.
“I don’t know if they’ve slept this past week,” Rodgers said. “They’ve had to move their families, put them in campers with their wives and kids, and then they’re gone. They’re out there constantly with the fire, going to meetings, getting updates. Last night they were all over Lower Stanley, telling residents to go somewhere else.”
Rodgers said police will continue to work to fight the Wapiti fire as long as it takes, though they are still hoping for a miracle.
“We’ve never been more desperate for snow in August than we are now,” Rodgers said.
The Statesman collected images and videos from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies showing the devastation caused by the Wapiti Fire.
