UPDATE (August 27, 11:37 am): Evacuation levels have been lowered or lifted as containment on the Limepoint Fire progresses. Cuprum has been reduced to a Level 1 (READY) evacuation level, while evacuations for Bear have been lifted completely.
The fire has seen slight growth as containment efforts continue, now measuring 32,636 acres at 88% containment.
Along with lifted evacuations, the Forest Closure order was updated on August 26, opening some areas previously closed to the public due to the fire. More information on that updated closure is available here.
UPDATE (August 23, 9:36 am): Containment efforts have continued on the Limepoint Fire, and now the 32,600-acre fire is 84% contained as growth has slowed to a crawl.
Cuprum remains at a Level 2 (SET) evacuation level and Bear remains at a Level 1 (READY) evacuation level. Only residents and property owners are allowed in the area until further notice.
UPDATE (August 19, 8:00 A.M.): According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), containment has increased on the Limepoint Fire to 58%. We'll have more for you as the day goes on.
UPDATE (August 18, 1:30 P.M.): The Limepoint fire grew slightly on Saturday to just under 32,000 acres and is still at 51% containment.
A small-scale burning operation in the northeastern portion of the Limepoint fire was successfully implemented on Saturday. Despite the potential for increased fire activity, Saturday proved to be a “relatively uneventful day,” according to Operations Section Chief Clay Stephens.
Evacuation levels set by the Adams County Sheriff continue unchanged. Cuprum remains at a Level 2 (SET) evacuation level. The Bear and Wildhorse communities remain at a Level 1 (READY) evacuation level.
Only residents and property owners are allowed in the area until further notice. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions also remain in effect, meaning campfires are allowed only in recreation sites within metal fire pits.
UPDATE (August 17): The Limepoint fire covers over 31,000 acres of burned area, with 51% containment. Firefighters have secured more of the fire's edge and improved containment in the southern area between Bear and Flat Creeks. The Payette National Forest's Forest Closure Order, which aims to keep the public safe near the fire area, is still in effect.
The Council Mountain Music Festival is this weekend at Veterans Memorial Peace Park, next to the Adams County Fairgrounds in Council. The fairgrounds are also the Incident Command Post for the Limepoint Fire. Fire managers and festival organizers are working together to ensure the festival is enjoyable and doesn't affect fire operations.
UPDATE (August 14, 11:12 am): The Limepoint Fire continues to burn as fire crews work to contain the flames. The fire now spans 31,397 acres and is 38% contained.
The fire line has been secured near Oxbow to the south of the flames, Hells Canyon Rd to the west, and Wildhorse Canyon on the east.
Incident Commander Steve Shaw said, “Coordination between the incident management team, the Payette National Forest, and community has worked well.” Shaw acknowledged, “There is still plenty of work to be done on this fire, but we have good momentum.”
Erratic wind and lightning on August 12 forced firefighters to move to a camp in Bear, but now crews have returned to the Horse Mountain area to be closer to the most active part of the fire.
Communities including Cuprum, Bear, Calf Pen, and Wildhorse that have been evacuated have been reopened by the Adam's County Sheriff's Department. Only residents and property owners are allowed into the area at this time.
UPDATE (August 13, 1:09 pm): The Limepoint Fire has now spread through 31,256 acres in Idaho and remains 27% contained.
Communities including Cuprum, Bear, Calf Pen, and Wildhorse that have been evacuated have been reopened by the Adam's County Sheriff's Department. Only residents and property owners are allowed into the area at this time.
Cuprum is at a Level 2 (SET) evacuation level, per the Adams County Sheriff. Bear and Wildhorse are in a Level 1 (READY) evacuation. For your safety and the safety of firefighters please stay away from the fire area.
UPDATE: As of August 11th 2024
Yesterday, active fire behavior and gusty winds led to more tree torching. Hotshot crews maintained lines in the northern part of the fire and worked to cool hot spots around Cuprum. Unfavorable conditions prevented strategic burning south of Horse Mountain Lookout. Most of the firelines on the southern and western sides are now contained.
UPDATE: As of August 10th 2024
The Limepoint fire has now reached well over 28,000 acres burned, with now 27% containment.
Yesterday: An inversion that lasted until early afternoon reduced visibility for aircraft and slowed down the fire, which helped firefighters make progress on the fireline. They worked overnight to mop up and protect structures. Protection efforts continue in Bear, Cuprum, Paradise Flat, Ditch Creek, Wildhorse, Mill Creek, and OX Ranch.
Today: The Limepoint Fire is being handled by 5 hand crews, 27 engines, 7 bulldozers, 5 helicopters, 2 skidders, 7 masticators, 4 feller-bunchers, and 699 people. Firefighters are on high alert due to potential critical fire weather, including shifting winds, high temperatures, and possible thunderstorms. On the northern flank, they will maintain firelines and create a dozer line north to Sheep Rock. They will also conduct strategic burning south of Horse Mountain Lookout and along Grassy Ridge, using hotshot crews and drones, which could take several days
UPDATE (August 8, 11:05 am): The Limepoint Fire continues to burn in the Payette National Forest and now covers 26,795 acres in the area, an increase of 874 acres overnight.
The fire remains 10% contained and threatens homes in several areas including Bear, Cuprum, Paradise Flat, Ditch Creek, Wildhorse, Mill Creek, and Ox Ranch.
As fire crews continue working to contain the fire, Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are still in effect for Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse and Barber Flats. Fire personnel are working with the Adams County Sheriff's Office to provide reccomendations on reentry to the evacuated areas once it is safe to do so.
UPDATE (August 7, 9:44 pm): The Limepoint Fire has increased by 118 acres, now measuring 25,803 acres, as containment increases to 10%.
UPDATE (August 6, 10:22 am): The Limepoint Fire now measures 25,803 acres, increasing 508 acres as containment has reached 8%.
The fire still threatens homes in Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse, Paradise Flat and Ditch Creek.
Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations are still in effect for Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse, and Barber Flats according to the Adams County Sheriff's Office. Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations are in place for Ditch Creek and Paradise Flat, and a Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation is in effect for Mill Creek.
Those who have evacuated from level 3 evacuation zones are asked to not return until the sheriff's office has confirmed it is safe to do so.
UPDATE (August 5, 9:56 am): The Limepoint Fire has increased by 690 acres, now measuring in at 25,295 acres, as containment remains at 5%. The fire still threatens homes in areas including Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse, Paradise Flat and Ditch Creek. Idaho Power transmission lines to the south of the fire are threatened.
On August 5, crews plant to improve firelines and mop up a spot fire in Flat Creek on the southeastern flank of the fire. Crews will also be working with ranchers to relocate cattle in the Paradise Flat area.
UPDATE: As of August 4th 2024
The Limepoint fire has now reached over 24,000 acres of burned area, with just 5% containment. Yesterday, Big Bar Camping Area was evacuated and closed due to fire activity near the area. The fire threatens homes in several areas, including:
- Cuprum
- Bear
- Wildhorse
- Paradise Flat
- Ditch Creek
A community meeting on the Limepoint/Oxbow and Cliff Mountain Fires will take place at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, August 5th. The meeting will be held at the Adams County Recreation Center, located at 104 S. Galena Street, Council, Idaho 83612.
UPDATE: As of August 3rd 2024
Limepoint fire has now reached over 22,000 acres. The fire threatens homes in several areas, including Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse, Paradise Flat and Ditch Creek. Idaho Power transmission lines to the south of the fire are threatened.
"The fire is moving across the landscape, and we’re doing our best to keep up with it."
UPDATE (August 2, 11:01 am): The Limepoint fire continues to grow in Adams County and now measures in at 19,359 acres with no containment.
Warmer and drier conditions on August 1 were causing fire activity to increase in the area. The 337 crew members assigned to the fire are now working to complete and hold fire lines and control any new fire starts.
Evacuation orders remain in place for the towns of Cuprum and Bear.
UPDATE (August 1, 10:37 am): The towns of Bear and Cuprum remain evacuated as the nearby Limepoint fire has grown to 18,734 acres with no containment.
The latest fire information indicates that warmer and drier conditions on August 1 coupled with winds from the southwest will likely push the flames closer to the fireline on the west side of Bear. Any remaining residents are being asked to evacuate the area.
Crews are still working to contain the flames and halt the fire's spread by fortifying fire lines as the wildfire continues to grow.
UPDATE (July 31, 10:00 am): The lightning-caused Limepoint Fire has grown to cover 17,908 acres in Adams County after combining with the nearby Oxbow Fire. Containment remains at 0%.
The area of the fire near the Indian Creek drainage threatens the towns of Cuprum and Bear, which both remain evacuated at this time.
More crews and equipment have been ordered and are on their way to the scene of the fire. Firefighters continue to protect and prepare threatened structures while constructing a fire line to stop the spread of the flames.
The 1,000-acre Limepoint fire prompted evacuations for the town of Cuprum on July 25, and those orders remain in place as fire crews work to contain the flames.
The Adams County Sheriff's Office says the fire did not reach the town, but the evacuations for the area remain in place.
