UPDATE AT 7:59 P.M.: Orofino fire surrounded by bulldozer line but considered 0% contained

Oct 31, 2023

The remnants of a structure are seen at Orofino on Tuesday evening. The fast-moving Hospital Fire has burned structures and caused an evacuation of the Wixson Heights neighborhood.

UPDATE AT 7:59 P.M.:

OROFINO -- The Hospital Fire at Orofino is now fully surrounded by lines created by bulldozers but is considered 0% contained, according to an update this evening from the Idaho Department of Lands.

Dent Bridge Road has been reopened but the Wixson Heights neighborhood is still under an evacuation order. Homeowners in that area will be escorted into the neighborhood by local law enforcement at 7 a.m. Wednesday to see their property. Those seeking an escort are asked to call the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office at (208) 476-4521 and provide their contact information.

Precipitation has been helpful against the fire that started Tuesday afternoon, but "firefighters are waiting for the risk of lightning to subside before beginning mop up operations," according to the IDL update.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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UPDATE AT 6:01 P.M.:

OROFINO -- People living in the Wixson Heights neighborhood of Orofino have been ordered by the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office to evacuate their homes because of the 30-acre Hospital Fire, according to a news release from the Idaho State Department of Lands.

Crews from Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, local first responders and surrounding districts are aggressively battling the fire from ground and air. Fire officials report that structures have been lost, although an exact count is not yet available.

Residents in need of lodging are encouraged to go to the old Orofino Junior High on Michigan Avenue. The Clearwater County fair barn is open to house animals. The Tabernacle Church at 1839 Michigan Ave. is also open for those being evacuated.

Anyone seeking more information about the evacuations may check the county Facebook page at facebook.com/clearwatercounty.org/.

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ORIGINAL STORY:

OROFINO -- Firefighters are battling a fast-moving blaze that started near Idaho State Hospital North about 3 p.m. today and has reportedly burned a number of structures in the town of Orofino.

Clearwater County Sheriff Chris Goetz said the fire “started about an hour ago and is burning nonstop. It started at State Hospital North and ran right up over the hill toward Wixon Heights.”

Goetz said he does not know how many structures have been burned at this point. Firefighters were scrambling to get control of the fire. The Dent Bridge Road was closed, Goetz said.

A spokesperson at the Clearwater County Courthouse also said at least two houses on the outskirts of town had been burned and the fire was threatening the internet connection at the courthouse.

It is believed the Idaho State Department of Lands is on the scene.

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