Latest News & Updates
Latest News & Updates
Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative
Info prepared by Sawtooth Society staff and SVWFC Volunteers. The Sawtooth Society is applying for grant funds to increase wildfire and climate resiliency for Sawtooth Valley. We believe working collaboratively and with respect fosters climate resiliency
We know they are pretty and everyone loves explosions - but Fireworks are banned throughout Blaine County to prevent wildfires and protect our people and pets!.
Additionally, fireworks are banned on ALL Federal Lands (USFS, BLM)🎆 Reminder: Fireworks Are Prohibited in Blaine County
As you celebrate Independence Day, please remember that the sale, possession, discharge, and use of all fireworks—including "Safe and Sane" fireworks—are prohibited throughout Blaine County under Blaine County Resolution 2026-13, adopted by the Board of County Commissioners on May 6, 2026.
This ban helps protect our community by reducing the risk of wildfires, protecting homes and natural resources, and keeping our residents, visitors, pets, and first responders safe.
Celebrate responsibly by attending one of the many public Independence Day events happening throughout the Wood River Valley and southern Blaine County.
Thank you for doing your part to keep Blaine County safe this holiday weekend!
Today, we honor the dedicated members of the wildland firefighting community who protect our communities and natural resources from wildfires. Their courage, dedication and sacrifice are remarkable.
THANK YOU to our firefighters, dispatchers, map creators, equipment operators, radio technicians, public information officers and all others who support wildland fire response.
Be Prepared this Fire Season and get your Go Bag ready!
Sophie and Michael walk us through the items you should gather TODAY so that if fires come, you are prepared to be READY, SET, GO!
Save These Bookmarks before Fire Season!
During Fire Season, the Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative (The FireCollab) publishes regular updates during ongoing fire events.
We compile information from dozens of sources to deliver succinct, timely, and accurate information that is aligned with our agency partners. Below is a list of the Agency, Nonprofit, and Fire Collaborative links that we use to generate reports.
We wanted to send these resources to you to help you be better prepared for the upcoming Fire Season in the Sawtooth Valley!
We are geared up for a productive and busy summer, so you need to meet the person that is going to help make it happen! Join us in welcoming Sophie!Say hello to our newest team member, Sophie! Sophie will be serving as the Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative Admin for the summer season. She has a wealth of knowledge to offer our organization, and we are so excited to be working with her this summer. Welcome, Sophie!
While the Summit Creek fire is taking place outside of our Area of Operations, the Sawtooth U.S. Forest Service-Sawtooth National Forest put together a great summary of the different types of attack crews used for fire suppression on a major event - check out this post below to learn a little bit about how they use the right tools for the right job!We have seen some comments and questions on our other posts about the #SummitCreekFire that warrant responses, so we will be posting here on our page for everyone’s benefit. The next topic we’d like to address is use of aviation resources on this fire.
Aviation resources—like air tankers, helicopters, and water-scoopers—are powerful tools, but their primary role is to support the crews working directly on the ground. They do this by slowing fire spread and cooling hot spots.
Fire retardant acts as a barrier to slow a wildfire's forward progress. This vital window may provide the ground crews the time they need to safely engage and build containment lines.
When helicopters or water-scooping planes drop high volumes of water, they can lower fire intensity. This may provide firefighters the opportunity to move in and work directly on the fire line or strengthen indirect confinement features.
While dramatic drops of water and retardant can play an important role in suppression efforts, aircraft alone typically do not extinguish a wildfire. Just like putting out a campfire, completely securing a fire requires a hands-on process. Aviation resources can slow fire progression from above, but ground crews must follow up to secure the areas by constructing containment lines, scraping away embers, and physically feeling for remaining heat to ensure the fire is truly out.
Additionally, aircraft and ground crews can’t always operate in the same space at the same time. When aircraft are overhead, firefighters on the ground often have to pause their work and move out of the area for their safety.
Every fire presents a unique puzzle, and our incident management teams carefully evaluate which tool is best suited for each specific mission. Because aviation assets are both highly specialized, in high demand, and expensive to deploy, we strategically use them when and where they will have the greatest impact, ensuring we balance operational effectiveness with responsible resource management.
#SawtoothNF #MinidokaRD #FireYear2026
Next Friday - join us in Stanley for a FREE Community Forum!
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.
We have been asked a few times for updates on the Summit Creek fire located within the U.S. Forest Service-Sawtooth National Forest . What many don't realize that, while a major portion of the Sawtooth National Forest is in Central Idaho, there is a portion - the Minidoka Ranger District - that is located along the southern border of Idaho. That is where the Summit Creek fire is located.
Our area of monitoring falls within the SNRA and the areas immediately surrounding it, and, while we are monitoring the Summit Creek Fire, it's location just north of the Utah border falls outside of area of focus.
We had a fantastic chat with Blaine County, City of Sun Valley, and State Farm to discuss the changing circumstances around safeguarding your property and ensuring you retain critical homeowners insurance!
HUGE thanks to The Community Library for hosting us for this important community forum! If you missed it, you can see the full presentation at the link below!
We had a great evening discussing the changing landscape of fire insurance and ways to make your home fire resilient! Thank you to the Mountain Express for an great article about the event and thank you Community Library for hosting us!
Experts discuss changing fire insurance landscape
www.mtexpress.com
Experts convened in Ketchum at The Community Library on Wednesday evening to share fire insurance information and wildfire safety tips with Blaine County residents.FYI for our Sawtooth Valley residents - planned power outages coming up next month!
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Want to learn more about homeowner's insurance and how it's being affected by wildfire risk? Have other insurance questions and want to talk to the experts? Now is your chance! Join the Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative October 4th from 4:30-6:00pm at Papa Brunee's and hear from the experts!
Want to learn more about homeowner's insurance and how it's being affected by wildfire risk? Have other insurance questions and want to talk to the experts? Now is your chance! Join the Sawtooth Valley Wildland Fire Collaborative October 4th from 4:30-6:00pm at Papa Brunee's and hear from the experts!
Keep up to date with Fire Restrictions!As we head into Labor Day weekend, we want to remind visitors that Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in effect across the Sawtooth National Forest.
🔥Wood and charcoal campfires are ONLY allowed in agency-provide fire rings at designated sites – a list of sites can be found in the official order at www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/alerts/stage-1-fire-restrictions
🔥Elsewhere, fires are only allowed in devices that have a shut off valve and are fueled by liquid petroleum gas.
We also want to share a few other #OneLessSpark reminders with visitors:
🔥Fireworks are never allowed on our national forest.
🔥Do not drive or park on dry grass. Hot exhaust pipes or sparks can start a fire.
🔥Ensure trailer chains are not dragging when hauling campers or equipment. Contact with roadways can generate sparks.
🔥Never leave a campfire unattended without insuring it is dead out and cold to the touch.
The Sawtooth National Forest wishes you a safe and happy holiday!
🚨⚠️ SH-21 potentially closed for next two days north of Grandjean Junction due to mud slide and debris on road. Drivers should plan alternative routes.
Elkhorn Fire Update - PUBLISHED 8PM AUGUST 14th
On July 31st, a lightning storm ignited the Elkhorn Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. It's located approximately 33 miles northwest of Stanley and is next to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Through August 13th, it was mapped at approximately 33 acres. During Red Flag weather conditions yesterday, including high winds and low relative humidity, fire activity increased significantly, and the fire spread to 953 acres as reported earlier today. Smoke from the increased fire activity was visible from Stanley during the afternoon winds yesterday. See photos below. The Elkhorn Fire is adjacent to multiple burned areas, which act as a natural barrier to fire spread.
Red Flag weather conditions continue through at least today, August 14th, increasing the risk of further regional fire behavior.
Visible smoke is also being released from other fires near the Sawtooth Valley. Smoke from the Rock Fire near Lake Cascade was clearly visible across the northern skyline from Stanley yesterday.
Further information about the Elkhorn Fire will be published as conditions warrant.
Full information in the fire update can be found HERE: conta.cc/47gh3HB
Firewood permits for the Sawtooth, Boise and Payette national forests are now available for purchase through a new online E-Permit system. Permits may be purchased by computer or mobile device any time, eliminating traveling to your local Forest Service office. www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/newsroom/releases/firewood-permits-now-available-online-purchase?fbc...
Sawtooth National Forest : Press Release - Firewood permits now available for online purchase
www.fs.usda.gov
Jerome, Idaho — Firewood permits for the Sawtooth, Boise and Payette national forests are now available for purchase through a new online
ED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON, 8/6/2025, TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 422...for Blaine County, Idaho, and surrounding areas.Let's be careful out there, folks...
RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON, 8/6/2025, TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 422...for Blaine County, Idaho, and surrounding areas.
The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity, effective from 2 PM this afternoon to 9 PM MDT this evening.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zone 422 Sawtooth Range/Northern Sawtooth NF. Affected areas are from Ketchum southwards.
* WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.
* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 15 percent.
* IMPACTS...When Red Flag conditions are met, fire intensity and fire spread rates can become extreme.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions exist now, or will occur shortly, based on these criteria for Southeastern Idaho:
- Relative humidity at or below 15 percent and wind gusts of at least 25 mph in the mountains, or 30 mph in the Snake Plain.
Wed Aug 6 2025
&&
Level 1 Fire Restrictions are now in effect until October 31st.
What does this mean for SNRA Recreationalists?
1) Fires are ONLY permitted in USFS/BLM Provided Metal Fire Rings and Enclosures - this means fires within Rock Rings are NOT PERMITTED
2) Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, at a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
3) Visitors outside of these designated sites may use a stove or grill equipped with a shut-off valve that is solely fueled by liquid petroleum or liquid petroleum gas fuels. Stoves or grills of this type can only be used in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
When using USFS Metal Fire vessels, remember to DROWN your fire - your fire should be completely extinguished and you shouldn't feel any remaining heat when you feel with the back of your palm!In coordination with Idaho Department of Lands and Bureau of Land Management - Idaho Twin Falls District, the #SawtoothNF will be initiating Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on all National Forest System lands within the exterior boundaries of the forest Friday. For more information, see the alert and press release posted below.
⚠️: www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/alerts/stage-1-fire-restrictions
đź“°: www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/newsroom/releases/stage-1-fire-restrictions-begin-aug-1
While this falls outside the Sawtooth Valley, it sits on the edge of the SNRA. We want to ensure our Wood River Valley Residents are aware of the ongoing situation north of Ketchum in Oregon Gulch!Oregon Fire Update:
Fire is now 3 acres in size. However, a Type 2 helicopter and a single engine air tanker have been dropping water on the fire, which has slowed activity quite a bit. A Type 3 helicopter has joined the effort, and a Type 1 helicopter is enroute. #fireseason2025 #KetchumRD