8/31/2020 8:00am update
Fire is more than 300 Acres in size.
5 crews are currently working on the fire. Crews worked through the night. Type 3 team is taking over today at 10 am. Current levels of high humidity hopes to give firefighters an edge today. NEW HOPE is NOT threatened at this time. Fire is moving in the opposite direction.

(Orofino, Idaho) – A rapidly growing 50-acre fire is threatening structures and has already burned down two structures near the town of Orofino. The Clearwater Sheriff’s Office is evacuating some areas.

Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA), the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and rural fire are battling the Whitetail Loop Fire, on narrow roads and in steep terrain. The crews are currently trying to establish a division structure to organize and gain more resources to get a handle on the fire. A Type 3 team has been called in to assist.

A helitack crew, multiple engines and air support are currently on scene fighting the fire.

For evacuation information call the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office (208-476-4521). Report all wildfires to the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch Center (208-983-6800) or call 911.

For more information about the Whitetail Loop Fire, please contact the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Information Line at (208) 334-0233.
The fire was reported August 30 at approximately 4 P.M.
# # #

Media contact: Marin Sanborn, 208-334-0233, fireinformation@idl.idaho.gov

About IDL Fire: 10 Idaho Department of Lands Forest Protective Districts and two timber protective associations are responsible for fire prevention and protection on more than 6 million acres of state and private forests and rangelands in Idaho. IDL fire suppression efforts focus on initial attack. The work of the IDL fire management program helps protect and preserve important endowment timber assets as well as millions of acres of private forestland. The program also enhances forest and rangeland management on state endowment trust lands by utilizing fire as a management tool, and protects local communities from wildfire by reducing fuels.