KENDRICK – Crews continue to battle the Texas Fire, located east of Kendrick on the Latah/Nez Perce County line.
According to a Sunday morning update from officials, the fire size is estimated at 1,575 acres and is 20% contained. The fire area grew by only 32 acres between Thursday and Saturday. No growth was reported between Saturday morning and Sunday 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.
Officials say firefighters made good progress on Saturday, further securing a control line around the fire. Crews and equipment worked from the fire’s edge further into the interior, applying water with engines, portable water bags with hand pumps, and installing hose and sprinkler systems to extinguish any remaining heat. Helicopters assisted firefighters on the ground with bucket drops to cool down areas of hot brush fuels to allow them to safely engage in mop-up efforts.
Officials say fire activity is expected to remain minimal on Sunday, with creeping and smoldering and little to no open flames. Firefighters continue to search out and extinguish remaining heat and smokes, focusing on 100 feet within the fire perimeter. Due to increased temperatures expected on Sunday, firefighters will look for areas of heat during cooler parts of the day and monitor for any noticeable fire activity later in the day, when temperatures are at their highest.
Photo: Sage Nelson
On Wednesday morning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced 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.
Texas Fire map as of 7/19/24. Source: Idaho Dept. of Lands
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.
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.