Bench Lake Fire grows to 1,850 acres, stage one fire restrictions in effect (2024)

UPDATE: The Custer County Sheriff's Office has shared that there will be a community information meeting at the Stanley Community Center at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 17.

Fire managers and local agency representatives at the event will be answering questions from the public about the Bench Lake Fire. The meeting will be posted to the CCSO Facebook page.

Details from the event will be added to this article following the meeting which will be attended by Idaho News 6 reporter Steve Dent.

UPDATE: The fire grew to 1,850 acres from yesterday and fire crews have now achieved a 3% level of containment.

Crews used fire yesterday as a buffer to burn vegetation between the 101 Trail and the northern edge of the main fire. By doing this a break is created in continuous fuel which reduces the fire intensity as it approaches the trail. Incident managers were pleased with the effectiveness of the backburning.

South winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected today with temperatures in the mid-80s.

UPDATE: The Sawtooth National Forest and Idaho Department of Lands are initiating Stage 1 fire restrictions wiithin the National Forest System lands boundaries on the Sawtooth and Cassia zones starting on Wednesday, July 17 at 12:01 am.

The restrictions aim to reduce the potential for human-caused ignitions.

“Our fire danger rating right now is Very High, and, with the abnormally dry, hot conditions and record low fuel moisture levels we’re seeing, we project it will soon be Extreme,” said Sawtooth National Forest Fire Management Officer Andrew Addey. “Nationally, demand for firefighting resources, equipment, and aviation assets is higher than normal, which also limits our ability to order resources for any new fires that may start.”

Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on their own land, and only within an owner-provided fire structure.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

These restriction due allow for some campfires, but only in recreation sites within metal or concrete fire pits. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until the conditions change and fire risk is lowered.
Violating a fire restriction order can result in a $5,000 fine for individuals and $10,000 for corporations and/or six months imprisonment.

A GoFundMe page has been launched by local Redfish Lake lovers from the Wood River Valley to support the staff of the Redfish Lake Lodge as the Bench Lake Fire rages on.

The page was launched around 10 am on Monday, July 15 and has already raised over $5,000 of the $75,000 goal.

UPDATE: Fire activity increased on Monday and more accurate mapping now has the fire sized at 1,275 acres. On the west side of Redfish Lake, the fire is moving slowly downhill towards the lake. Firefighters will begin to achieve containment once the fire reaches the lake.

There is a slight chance for thunderstorms on Wednesday which can bring with it erratic outflow winds which could give potential for new fires to ignite. Firefighters are aware of these conditions and will position themselves strategically to have the best chance at containing the fire while staying safe.

UPDATE: Crews made good progress on mitigation efforts at the Redfish Lake Lodge on Monday, July 15, ensuring historical buildings and other structures are protected. Crews deployed hoses, sprinklers, and water pumps throughout the area.

A community meeting will be held at the Stanley Community Building on Wednesday, July 17 where fire managers and local agency representatives will be on site to answer questions.

UPDATE: The Bench Lake Fire burning near Stanley was mapped on Monday, July 15 and measured in at 738 acres.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are helping fire crews as they address the growing flames and protect the Redfish Lodge.

Redfish Lake remains closed for the public's safety and to ensure the lake is open for the water scooping aircraft currently fighting the fire.

UPDATE: As of Sunday, July 14th 2024

The Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Steve Shaw, took charge of the Bench Lake Fire on Saturday evening. The fire, which began Thursday about eight miles south of Stanley, prompted Sawtooth National Forest officials to close the popular Redfish Lake area due to its proximity to the fire and the risk of growth under current conditions.

The closure also ensures that water-scooping aircraft and helicopters can access the lake without obstruction, as they have been working hard to contain the fire by dropping thousands of gallons of water.

On Saturday afternoon, increased winds heightened fire activity. The fire currently covers an estimated 150 acres, with acreage updates pending an infrared flight. About 186 firefighters are on-site, with more resources being mobilized for full suppression.

Fire engines are stationed at the north end of the lake to protect Redfish Lodge and nearby structures. Hot shot crews are assessing where to engage directly, using natural features for containment. Ground crews are proceeding with caution due to the danger posed by dead and diseased trees.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Start Date: July 11, 2024
Cause: Unknown, Under Investigation
Size: 150 acres
Percent Containment: 0%
Helicopters: --
Scooper Planes: 2
Engines: 6
Crews: 4
Total Personnel: 186

UPDATE: As of Saturday, July 13, 2024

The Bench Lake Fire is up to 150 acres on Saturday evening. Increased winds have created a more pronounced smoke column. Similar winds are expected Sunday with possible thunderstorms forecast for Monday.

Two water-scooping aircraft, a Type 2 helicopter with heli-rappelers, one Type 3 helicopter, and an air attack plane supported suppression efforts today on the Bench Lake Fire.

The fire ignited around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, approximately eight miles south of Stanley, and has since burned about 80 acres in the Sawtooth Wilderness. The cause remains under investigation.

Local Type 3 Incident Commander Chris Belliston reported that water drops from the scooper aircraft, which conducted two fuel cycles, significantly slowed the fire's progression. Additionally, the fire is contained on its west side by Bench Lake and a rocky outcrop.

Currently, 76 personnel are assigned to the fire. The challenging terrain limits access for ground crews, but the Logan Hot Shots are on site, with the Mormon Lake Hot Shots expected to arrive tomorrow afternoon. While aerial resources will continue their operations, on-the-ground efforts are anticipated to increase in importance tomorrow with an additional Type 1 aircraft on the way.

The Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Steve Shaw, will brief with the local Type 3 team at 10 a.m. tomorrow and assume command at 6 p.m.

A closure of the Bench Lake Area, Road, and Trail, which includes the Redfish Lake recreation complex, took effect at 6 p.m. Custer County resources are assisting in notifying campers and evacuating visitors.

We talked with Shellie Hardman who has around 40 grandchildren they were having a family reunion at Red Fish Lake after securing their reservations six months ago.

We found this crew from Utah in large pullout near Stanley and while some people headed home after the evacuation they decided to stick it out after being evacuated.

"It was sad a lot of kids cried, a lot of kids were really disappointed," said Hardman. "We started coming here when our children were young and we love it, it is our favorite place on Earth to come."

We also talked to a husband and wife who biked on the new trail that connects Stanley and Red Fish Lake. They rode all the way into the lodge to discover everyone had been evacuated. Megan Renaldo was disappointed to see this fire in the sawtooths.

"Honestly, we are super bummed we love Stanley," said Renaldo. "We are up here all the time so it’s always a huge bummer when you see stuff like this happen."

UPDATE: The closure order for the Bench Lake Fire area, including roads and trails, has been signed and is now in effect as of 6 PM.

Start Date: July 12th, 2024
End Date: Until Dec. 31, 2024, unless rescinded

The Bench Lake Fire was reported around 12:30 pm on Thursday, July 11 in the Sawtooth Wilderness. The flames have now spread to around 66 acres.

The pilot of a helicopter that was responding to the Bench Lake Fire crashed in the Sawtooth National Forest, but thankfully they survived and were able to hike to a waiting ambulance, officials said.

“Our pilot was on board and survived, and an investigation is underway,” U.S. Forest Service spokesperson Angela Hawkins said Friday morning. She said the agency was unable to immediately release any additional information, including what role the helicopter had been taking in the wildfire response.

The Custer County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook that the pilot was able to call 911 and that he was able to hike out with assistance to an ambulance that responded from the nearby town of Stanley.

The Forest Service and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, Hawkins said.

The fire started one mile west of Redfish Lake, now an emergency closure is expected to go into effect for the surrounding area. The closure includes buildings, roads, trails, trailheads, and campgrounds in the Redfish Lake recreation complex as well as a small buffer area around the complex.

“We are letting folks know that the order is coming now in hopes of catching visitors before they head this direction,” Flannigan said. “With the concentration of fuels in the Sawtooth Wilderness, the unusual weather pattern we’re experiencing right now, and the proximity of the fire to a very popular recreation destination, we believe it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Following the start of the fire, the Custer County Sheriff's Office ordered the evacuation of Inlet Campground on the west side of Redfish Lake due to the fire risks.

Now, a Type 3 incident management team is responding to the wildfire.

At this time, the cause of the fire is still unknown and under investigation. More information on the fire will be released as it becomes available.

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