SHOSHONE COUNTY, Idaho — People in the Blackcloud area are being told to prepare for possible evacuation as the Dudley Fire continues to spread across the Idaho Panhandle north of Wallace.
The Type 3 wildfire, which started from a lightning strike on Aug. 26, has grown to 253 acres with zero containment.
The rapid spread prompted Avista to shut off power in the affected area to support firefighting operations.
Residents from Dobson Pass to Ferguson are currently in READY evacuation status, meaning they should be prepared to leave immediately if conditions worsen. Dobson Pass Road is closed at both Delta to the north and at the Nine-Mile Junction to the south. The Shoshone County Emergency Alerts system is being used to notify residents of any changes.
More than 114 personnel are assigned to the fire. Crews are constructing handline and dozer line while building fuel breaks to slow the fire’s advance.
Helicopters and scoopers are conducting water drops, while fixed-wing aircraft are dropping retardant. Air operations were forced to stop late yesterday during a critical burning period due to a drone incursion. A Temporary Flight Restriction is now in effect over the Dudley Fire area.
Firefighters are focused on keeping the fire south of Beaver Creek and Carbon Center while preventing further northern and eastward spread.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are now in effect across Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties until further notice.
COPYRIGHT 2026 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
