KENDRICK – Crews continue to battle the Texas Fire, located east of Kendrick on the Latah/Nez Perce County line.
According to a Sunday evening update from officials, the fire’s total footprint was estimated at 1,575 acres. The blaze is now considered 60% contained. The fire area grew by only 32 acres between Thursday and Saturday. No growth was reported between Saturday morning and Monday morning.
On Saturday morning, all evacuation orders were lifted and all roads were reopened in the region.
The last update from the Idaho Department of Lands regarding damage to structures said that the number of buildings lost to the fire included 4 primary residences and 6 outbuildings.
Photo: Sage Nelson
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last week the authorization of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Texas Fire.
The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Tuesday night. “He determined that the Texas Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster,” says a FEMA press release. This is the first grant approved in 2024 to help fight Idaho wildfires.
At the time of the state’s request, officials said the wildfire threatened homes in and around Kendrick. The fire was also threatening several cell towers, radio towers, private transmission lines, and agricultural assets in the area.
Photo: Alyssa Langston
Idaho Department of Lands firefighters began an aggressive attack of the wildfire on Monday in the Potlatch River Canyon near the junction of Texas Ridge Road and Cedar Ridge Road. Texas Ridge and East Road were closed to the public on Monday evening.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.