Evening Update – July 26, 2024
Current as of 7:45 p.m. PT
Location: East of Lapwai, Idaho by 5 miles
Size: 20,000 acres
Containment: 0%
Communities Impacted: Julietta, Lapwai, and Culdesac
Structures: Primary residences, outbuildings and a commercial building are among the structures lost. Structure assessments are underway to further evaluate the extent of the losses.
Personnel: Around 200 actively assigned to the Gwen Fire
Number of Evacuees: Approximately 300
Road Closures: US Highway 12 is closed between Spalding and Peck. State Highway 3 is closed between Arrow Bridge and Kendrick. Gifford/Reubens Highway is also closed.
Current Situation: There is good progress with firefighter crews and bulldozers working close to the fire edge to create containment lines. Aircraft providing fire suppression overhead has been effective in supporting ground crews and making progress with containment efforts. Wind continues to be a factor in fire movement.
Incident Background: Multiple fires spread northeast of Lewiston, Idaho after a lightning event Wednesday, July 24. The Gwen Fire and River Fire are combined in one incident called the Gwen Fire. Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 3 (RMCIMT 3) is planned to be in-briefed Saturday evening and will boost firefighting efforts.
Evacuation Links: