Officials announced Tuesday morning that a 15-mile stretch of Idaho Highway 21 was closed.
The Idaho Transportation Department has closed all lanes of Idaho 21 at Grandjean, between mile marker 92 at the Warm Springs Airport and mile marker 107 at Banner Creek Summit, according to the department’s website. No reopening time has been set.
Public access to the Grandjean area has been blocked and residents have been evacuated, the National Interagency Fire Center said. Drivers can still reach Lowman businesses.
According to the Department of Transportation, motorists should detour via Ketchum and Idaho Highway 75.
The Wapiti fire was only 10% contained and had burned 9,500 acres as of Tuesday.
“The Wapiti Fire exhibited active fire behavior with group fires, long-range observations, and field-driven runs,” the Boise National Forest Service said in a news release Tuesday. “… One additional structure was lost to embers falling in the Wapiti Summer Homes area. The fire is expected to continue to spread downslope and along the ridges to the west and north.”
The Idaho Department of Transportation advises people planning to drive near wildfire areas to treat inoperative traffic lights as four-way stops, carry extra food and water in case of delays, turn on headlights in smoky areas, and drive slowly but maintain a steady speed.
