The Wapiti Fire burning in the Boise National Forest has forced the closure of State Highway 21 near Grandjean. Motorists planning to travel between Boise and Stanley will need to take an alternate route through Ketchum on State Highway 75. There is no estimate for when the road will reopen.
The Wapiti Fire is 10% contained and has burned more than 9,000 acres. The Idaho Transportation Department encourages all drivers to check 511.idaho.gov for current conditions on your route.
Here are some additional safety tips for traveling in areas with wildfires:
- Power outages are common near wildfires. Treat non-working traffic signals as four-way stops.
- Bring additional food and water in case your trip is delayed.
- Driving in smoke is similar to driving in heavy fog. Slow down, maintain a steady pace, and stay alert.
- Turn on headlights when driving in smoky areas.
- The safest place to wait for a highway to reopen is at home. Avoid traveling to closure points to wait, as closures could last for days.
Fire information can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center’s website.