Five acres burned in Rose Lake
Photos by Chanse Watson. An IDL firefighter walks through the smokey woods back to Highway 3 near Rose Lake.
The new power pole installed by Avista stands next to the stump of the former one.
The flames from the fire stayed relatively low. Scorching the ground and the base of many trees.
ROSE LAKE— The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) reports that emergency crews are currently combating a five acre wildfire in southwest Rose Lake.
Reported at approximately 2:34 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, The fire began on the north side of Highway 3 and quickly spread through the surrounding wilderness- even jumping the road and scorching the land on the south side as well.
Firecrews had to act fast as the fire’s point of origin was dangerously close to the town.
Despite the less than ideal proximity to structures, fires crews from the Idaho Department of Lands, Shoshone County Fire District No.2, and the United States Forest Service were able to limit the damage to just wilderness and one electric pole.
Avista has since replaced the pole and reconnected the power lines.
Ground crews also utilized the help of one fire suppression helicopter and three planes.
Chris Myers, IDL incident commander, told the News-Press that the fire is 50 percent contained as of 7 p.m. Tuesday night and the cause is under investigation.
It is rumored that an overstocked logging truck clipped power lines hanging above the highway, but this could not be confirmed by authorities.
Myers wants to remind residents to be vigilant and report any fires they see.
“If people can be on the lookout, that would help us out tremendously.”
Highway 3 was completely closed for two hours after the initial report and was reduced to one lane for another three hours after that.
Both lanes are now open.