GALLERY: A look inside the burned area of the Big Rock Fire and work by fire crews to protect nearby structures
Published at
HEISE — After five days of fire crews battling to contain the Big Rock Fire, EastIdahoNews.com was given a chance to tour the areas within Heise that were protected from the inferno.
EastIdahoNews.com recently reported that the Big Rock Fire, which began Friday evening, has been held at 2,204 acres, with containment now at 22 percent as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire.
Over 250 personnel are working on the fire, and neither fire crews nor community members have reported any injuries. No major structures have been lost to the fire.
RELATED | DAY 5: Additional crews called in to help fight Big Rock Fire as it continues to burn
Despite progress in containing the fire, the Idaho Department of Lands has issued a temporary closure order for endowment lands in the Kelly Canyon block south of Moody Creek. Heise, Kelly Canyon, Wolf Flats and Table Rock remain closed.
Residents and property owners on South Snake River Road may pass road closures to access and check properties. South Snake River Road is closed to everyone, including officials, as the area should be avoided.
RELATED | Day 4: Firefighters hold the line of Big Rock Fire; homes spared from destruction
Tour of the protected area
The tour of the areas nearly caught in the blaze ranged as far east as the Kelly Canyon Ski Resort and as far west as the Cress Creek Nature Recreation Trail.
Near the Kelly Canyon Ski Resort, the fire was kept away from the ski resort and nearby cabins on East Kelly Canyon Road.
Heading back west, the Big Rock Campground was protected from the fire, where the burn marks bordered the campground and the slope up to Kelly Canyon.
RELATED | Day 3: Big Rock Fire expands to 2,500 acres overnight; more than 30 homes threatened
Due to the fire’s growth, many community members camping in the area were evacuated, leaving their RVs at the campground.
While there, the sounds of chainsaws were heard as fire crews began working on the hill leading to Kelly Canyon and began cleanup operations after putting out the fire near the campground.
RELATED | GALLERY: Crews work to contain Big Rock Fire, over 1,200 acres burned
Another major area in which fire crews protected was the Heise Golf Course, Pizza Parlor and RV Park.
While the burn areas were nowhere near these structures, they were visible farther north, near the ridges that make up Kelly Canyon.
RELATED | Day 2: Big Rock Fire grows to 2,400 acres with zero containment as night falls on Saturday
As we got closer to the Heise Bridge, the burned areas where the Big Rock Fire had nearly crossed East Heise Road were visible, and multiple firefighters were cutting down trees and checking for more hotspots.
While the fire burned north, climbing the ridge into Kelly Canyon, it also burned downhill but was stopped by firefighters Saturday night.
RELATED | Day 1: Evacuation order still in effect for Big Rock Fire; more residents told to standby
A deer crossing sign, a few yards away from the intersection of South Snake River Road and East Heise Road, was the location where the Central Fire District held a press conference on Saturday, but the fire was still many yards away from reaching that sign.
EastIdahoNews.com will continue to update community members on the current conditions of the Big Rock Fire. To read our past coverage of the fire, click on the link here.
This weather-related story is brought to you by Pony Express Car Wash, Idaho's premier express car wash destination, renowned for its commitment to exceptional service and quality. Voted the No. 1 car wash company in Idaho for five consecutive years, we pride ourselves on delivering an unparalleled experience for every vehicle and customer. Our state-of-the-art facility utilizes name-brand soaps and cutting-edge equipment to ensure your car receives the ultimate clean. Established in eastern Idaho in 2019, Pony Express is proud to be a locally owned and operated company that caters to the unique car washing needs of our Idaho Friends and neighbors. We invite you to experience the difference at Pony Express, where your satisfaction is our ultimate goal.