JULIAETTA, Idaho — According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the Gwen Fire has grown to 26,264 acres.
UPDATE, July 27, 3:59 p.m.:
Idaho Department of Lands said Highway 12 has partially reduced its closure due to the Gwen Fire.
The highway is now closed only to the Lenore Rest Area near milepost 28.
Anyone using Highway 12 can now get to Lenore from the eastside of the highway.
UPDATE, July 26 8:04 p.m.:
The Latah County Sheriff’s Office said all of Kendrick is now under Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations.
Level 2 evacuations are in effect for the following areas:
Eastern borders of Zone 2 by Highway 3 at Cedar Ridge RoadNorthern borders of Zone 2 by Highway 99 at American Ridge RoadLittle Bear Ridge Road at Brocke Road.
Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are still in effect for Juliaetta.
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According to Latah County Sheriff’s Office, Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are still in effect for the entire town of Juliaetta as of 10 p.m. on Thursday, due to the Gwen Wildfire burning about 30 miles outside of Lewiston.
Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations have been expanded to include the area west of Highway 99, up to Bethel Road (see yellow area on below map.) Anyone in this area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
As of 10 p.m. on Thursday, the city of Kendrick is not in the Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation zone.
Another fire, called the River Fire, is also burning near the Gwen Fire near the east end of Arrow Highline Road, west of the town of Myrtle along Clearwater River. That fire is is also burning at roughly 2,000 acres.
UPDATE, 8:00 p.m. on July 25:
Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations have been issued for the entire town of Juliaetta due to the Gwen Fire burning along Highway 3, according to Latah County Sheriff’s Office.
As of 5:22 p.m. on Thursday, all people in the town of Juliaetta must leave the area immediately.
Those just outside of the Level 3 zone are under Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation orders and must be ready to leave at a moment’s notice (See below map).
Relief sites for the fire are set up at Latah County Fair and Events Center (1021 Harold Street, Moscow, Idaho). The barns are open for stalling animals and the East Field carnival area is open to RVs, trailers and cars.
Additional evacuation sites are also at Troy High School (101 Trojan Dr.) and the LDS Church off Big Meadow Road.
The Nez Perce County Fairgrounds at 1229 Burrell Ave A in Lewiston is also a shelter site.
ORIGINAL STORY, 4:30 p.m. on July 25:
Evacuations are in place for the areas of Myrtle, Arrow Highline Road and Cherry Lane on Thursday, according to Nez Perce County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Latah County Sheriff’s Office, Highway 3 from milepost 0 to 9 has been closed by Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) due to a wildfire.
Around 4:15 p.m. on July 25, the Latah County Sheriff’s Office said the following evacuations have been issued:
Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuations:
State Highway 3 from Arrow Junction to Juliaetta Idaho and all lanes / roads off of itArrow Highline Road and all lanes / roads off of itClearwater Ridge Rd and all lanes / roads off of itStony Point Rd and all lanes / roads off of itHubbard Gulch Rd and all lanes / roads off of itCherrylane Rd and all lanes / roads off of itGifford Reubens Rd to MP 3Cottonwood Creek Rd the north 1 mile (just south of Lobo Ln)North Tom Beall RdMid Tom Beall RdSouth Tom Beall RdMisner Rd – north of Tom Beall Rd
Level 2 (Get Set) Evacuations:
McGary GradeMyrtle AreaGifford Reubens Road – south 3 miles from US Highway 12Leland RdWeischman RdUS Highway 12 from Arrow Junction to Cooks Paradise AcresRiver Rd and all lanes / roads off of itSouth of South Tom Beall Rd to CuldesacEast of Cottonwood Creek Rd to Gifford Reubens Rd
Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuations:
North Tom Beall RdCottonwood Creek DrainageUS Highway 12 to LenoreRiver Rd to LenoreLeland Rd to LelandJuliaetta Area – Latah and Nez PerceCuldesac / Gifford / Summit Grade / Amos Bench areas
The Gwen Fire has grown to over 1000 acres and at least one structure has been burned down.
Additional structure protection has been requested.
Several aircraft are assisting ground crews.
A portion of State Highway 3 has been closed.
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