UPDATE: As of Sunday, Aug. 4
The Bench Lake Fire is showing minimal fire activity in the fire area, as of Saturday. The fire is now 90% contained and has not had any additional growth, still at 2,595 acres.
Glowing embers and smoke may be visible from interior pockets, but are not a threat to fire containment lines at this time, according to the U.S. National Forest Service.
UPDATE: As of Monday, July 29
The staff of Red Fish Lodge are expressing their graditude to members of the Great Basin Team 4 , the SNRA and the fire crews who have been working the past week to fight the fire.
The Stanley Community has been amazing allowing various employees to stay at their homes and supporting crews through the 16 day closure.
Red Fish Lake Recreation Area plans to fully open to the public tomorrow, Tuesday, July 30.
UPDATE: As of July 28th 2024
The fire is 85% contained with over 146 personnel fighting the blaze. The efforts continue to focus on interior mop-up with repair and erosion mitigations that were deemed appropriate by local resource advisers.
UPDATE: As of July 27th 2024
The Bench Lake Fire is now 72% contained, with remaining crews continuing to patrol hand lines and increase interior mop-up depth.
The Redfish Lake Lodge and adjacent facilities welcomed back employees yesterday, in preparation for guests and re-creationists. The complex will reopen for visitors in the following phases to ensure an orderly re-entry.
- Visitors must remain 300 feet (length of football field) from the west bank shoreline while recreating in Redfish Lake to ensure public health and safety, in the area between Point Campground and Inlet Campground.
- Sunday: Guests with existing Redfish Lodge reservations will be allowed entry, also Mystic Saddles Outfitters will resume operations.
- Monday: Campers with existing reservations will be allowed to enter the recreation complex.
- Tuesday: The complex will be open to the general public.
UPDATE: As containment efforts continue to make progress, the US Forest Service in the Sawtooth National Forest have announced the plan to reopen the Redfish Lake Recreation Complex.
The complex will reopen in phases scheduled for the following dates:
- July 28 – Redfish Lake Lodge will open to guests with existing reservations, and Mystic Saddles Outfitters will resume operations. Guests of the lodge and the outfitter will be allowed entry into the recreation complex.
- July 29 – Campers with existing reservations will be allowed to enter the recreation complex.
- July 30 Tuesday – The complex will open to the general public.
According to the Forest Service, the emergency closure order and map will be updated on July 26 to include adjustments to the closure area and other restrictions that could apply to those visiting the complex.
UPDATE: Weather conditions were cooler and more humid than usual yesterday with the storm system that moved through. The rain helped keep fire activity calm and the size maintained at 2,595 acres with containment now at 58%. Crews continue to work on fire lines to increase containment.
Crews are also repairing lines and trails so that the forest can recover from damages during line construction and return to its original state.
Relatively cooler temperatures will continue throughout the week, with decreased humidity and breezy southwest winds in the area today.
UPDATE (July 25, 8:10 am): Despite thunder, lightning, and wind gusts up to 40 mph, the Bench Lake Fire did not see any overnight growth maintaining at 2,595 acres with containment now at 45%.
Crews continue to make good progress securing the fire perimeter and removing hazard trees. Weather, however, will continue to be a factor with a 20% chance of thunderstorms tonight and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
UPDATE: Containment efforts on the Bench Lake Fire near Stanley have been progressing, but thunderstorms and wind on July 24 could spread the flames and cause problems for fire crews.
The fire remains 34% contained and measures in at 2,595 acres. The stormy weather is expected to reach the area in the afternoon.
Residents in the area are encouraged to enroll in Code Red emergency alerts by texting "Custer" to 99411.
UPDATE: The National Weather Service in Pocatello has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Stanley Basin and Bench Lake Fire area.
The fire maintained size overnight at 2,595 acres, and crews are now reporting containment at 34%.
Crews are preparing for scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening with wind speeds between 20 mph and 55 mph which could challenge the fireline.
Progress continues to be made with heavy equipment to clear dense vegetation and fuels reduction around the Sawtooth National Forest Stanley Ranger Station is nearing completion.
From July 12 to 21, aircraft have hauled nearly 167,000 pounds of cargo and dropped 1.5 million gallons of water.
UPDATE: Progress has continued on containment efforts for the Bench Lake Fire near Stanley as the flames contribute to the smoke pouring into the Treasure Valley on Tuesday, July 23.
The fire has slightly increased in size, now measuring around 2,595 acres as containment has reached 23%.
Fire crews are working to clear hazardous fuels near in the Sawtooth National Forest ahead of windy weather on Wednesday, July 24 which could spread the flames and generate visible smoke.
The latest information on the Bench Lake fire is available to view here.
UPDATE: The fire saw minor growth overnight with the size now at 2,567 acres and maintained a 13% containment.
Yesterday brought warmer temperatures in the lower 90s and crews have spent much of the past several days constructing direct and indirect firelines along the east and west sides of the fire.
Residents of Custer County are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED for emergency alerts. Residents can sign up for CodeRED by texting CUSTER to 99411.
UPDATE: As of 8:15 p.m., Sunday, July 21
Firefighters and support personnel responding to the Bench Lake fire has increased to 464. The fire is now 2,538 acres and 13% contained.
Today, crews on the Bench Lake Fire continued contingency plans in the areas surrounding Redfish Lake. Firefighters worked on assessing placement of possible lines in the Goat Creek and Iron Creek areas. Construction of a dozer line began near the Stanley ranger station and its surrounding buildings, along with vegetation removal and handline construction.
UPDATE: As of 8:15 a.m., Sunday, July 21
Effective planning and enough firefighters have increased containment of the Bench Lake Fire to 13%. Additional crews and aircraft have secured important fire lines. While the threat to Redfish Lake Lodge has lessened, hazards like dead trees and debris keep the area closed. Weather changes are expected on July 22 with dry cold fronts, raising risks of thunderstorms and winds that may intensify fire activity. Crews are adjusting tactics to manage these conditions while prioritizing firefighter safety. Despite weekend visitors in Stanley Basin, support for the 439 firefighting personnel is valued.
| Start Date | Cause | Size | Percent Containment | Helicopters | Scooper Planes | Engines | Crews | Total Personnel |
| 07/11/24 | Under Investigation | 2,538 | 13% | 5 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 439 |
UPDATE: As of 8:30 p.m., Saturday, July 20
Firefighters and support personnel responding to the fire has expanded to 439, including eight elite hotshot crews. The fire is now 2,525 acres and 13% contained.
Local residents and weekend visitors in the Stanley Basin are experiencing improved air quality and less smoke on Saturday.
UPDATE: As of 11 a.m., Saturday, July 20
Aviation resources, including water scoopers, have effectively slowed the progress of the Bench Lake Fire, providing ground firefighters with an opportunity to advance their efforts in securing the fireline.
Weather conditions in the area remain unchanged: hot and dry, contributing to ongoing fire activity. Smoke from the fire is expected to disperse throughout the weekend after the afternoon inversion breaks. Similar to yesterday, Stanley, Idaho may experience reduced smoke impacts as it disperses eastward towards Challis.
Community members and weekend visitors should anticipate increased traffic due to additional firefighting resources and heavy equipment in the vicinity. Please exercise caution and be aware of activity on the roadways.
Efforts to protect structures at Redfish Lake Lodge and nearby facilities continue, utilizing pumps, hoses, and sprinklers. Crews monitoring the northern perimeter of the fire remain vigilant against potential breaches. Along the southern edge, firefighters are leveraging natural features to fortify the fireline.
A dedicated air resource advisor is now providing daily updates on smoke-related conditions for the incident. For more detailed information, refer to the Saturday, July 20, 2024 outlook on InciWeb.
Restrictions: Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect within the Sawtooth and Cassia zones of the Sawtooth National Forest. Campfires are permitted only in designated recreation sites with metal or concrete fire pits. Fires are strictly prohibited in dispersed camping areas.
Closures: An expanded emergency closure is in effect for the Bench Lake Fire (0414-04-148) within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This closure includes the Redfish Lake recreation complex, lodge, roads, trails, trailheads, and campgrounds. Highways 75 and 21 remain open.
Visit inciweb.wildfire.gov for closure details and maps.
UPDATE: Efforts of fire crews have resulted in an 8% containment of the Bench Lake Fire with the total size staying at 2,037 acres since yesterday. Structure protection efforts at Redfish Lake Lodge and nearby facilities continue to be successful.
Crews also made substantial progress building containment lines and the water sprayed has increased the relative humidity, making it more difficult for the fire to spread.
UPDATE: The fire grew since yesterday to 2,037 acres with containment still at 3%. Crews were able to continue backburning operations yesterday and successfully guided the fire into Fishook drainage, where the wet and marshy landscape reduced the intensity of the main fire.
Aerial resources have dropped over 900,000 gallons of water on the fire and having Redfish Lake nearby continues to be an asset throughout the containment process.
Officials and fire managers held a community meeting on July 17 where they spoke to the public about their plan of attack after one week of their containment efforts. Fire crews have been guiding the Bench Lake Fire into damp terrain to halt the spread of the flames.
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.
