In an unprecedented event during one of the driest years on record, a single thunderstorm lasting less than an hour started over 70 fires, bringing the total to over 100 started during the 24 hour period.
Fire crews from all over the nation have been pre-positioned for weeks as Idaho Department of Lands, BLM, and US Forest Service could see this coming a long way off. The crews were definitely needed as they battled one blaze after another. Talking with a small crew last night they said they had been on 5 fires in 4 days. So far, from observers statements, 3 single engine spotting planes, 1 jet, 2 helicopters, one with 2,500 gal water tank, and at least one twin engine fire retardant plane have been working on these fires as well. Last night two homes were lost and a third was saved, no word yet on the progress through the night.
The smoke, as always with these fires is unimaginable thick, producing this image below of the sun at around 7pm.
Last night from a eatery establishment and the streets, in this little town of Kamiah, I took these pictures. Later driving up a canyon road that I was told was closed earlier in the day.
The fire danger to everything at this time is IMMENSE and the the town is hoping for a miraculous rain. Several structures are still in danger, if not already destroyed, and three major fires are within literal earshot of rural developments. There were volunteers evacuating people last night and I expect more will be evacuated today unless the the fire crews have produced tremendous results in the night.
I have to travel a highway today that was closed temporarily last night and will likely still be reduced to one lane today. I will try to get more pictures and keep my readers updated.
Thanks!
~AOB
P.S. It’s okay to like this post…it doesn’t mean you want the town to burn to the ground. 🙂
The Write Life 
Thank you so much for your blog. We have been in Salt Lake for a year and a half serving a mission for our church in a genealogy library to help people from all over the nation find their roots and their family lines. We will not get home until January. Our home is on Highway 12 by the Indian Presbyterian Church and my sons’s family who has been living in the home were evacuated and just allowed to come back. We appreciate so much what you have done in creating this blog. The news tells us very little. Some of the members of our church have lost their homes. We are praying for all of you. Thank you again. Joe and Sandy Shull
You are very welcome! I hope your son, his family, and your home is alright. I wish I could do more. I really wanted to go house to house and talk to people it just wasn’t possible. Thank you for your work in genealogy. Thanks for your prayers and God bless!