Lightning sparks large wildfires north of Boise, near Cascade and Tamarack

Sally Krutzig, The Idaho Statesman on Aug 13, 2025

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Fire crews are battling several fires north of Boise, Idaho, caused by lightning near Cascade.

The fires are centered at a location about 1.5 miles south of the Tamarack Resort in Donnelly, and they cover a combined 1,000 acres, according to a Wednesday news release from the U.S. Forest Service.

The largest has been dubbed the Rock fire.

These wildfires were first reported at 10 p.m. Tuesday, prompting firefighters to respond “immediately” with a “full suppression strategy,” the Forest Service said.

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 evacuation alert — which translates to “Be ready” to leave — at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“The Valley County Sheriff’s Office has issued a ‘ready’ evacuation notice for West Mountain residents due to increased fire activity on the Rock Fire, located south of Tamarack Resort,” the Valley County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook. “The ready order is being released today so residents can have adequate time to pre-plan. The areas of notification are WM 05, WM 06, and WM 07. On West Mountain Rd, from W. Roseberry Rd, south to Bear Trail.”

The Forest Service said resources at the scene and on the way included one engine, two 10-person hand crews, one dozer, one Hotshot crew, six single-engine air tankers, four water scoopers, four helicopters, four Large Air Tankers and four Very Large Air Tankers.

The agency has requested at least two additional Hotshot crews.

“Hotshot crews are highly trained, specialized wildland fire handcrews that perform some of the most demanding and hazardous tasks in wildland firefighting,” the Forest Service website states. “... On average Hotshots spend more days on the fire line performing fire suppression activities than any other ground based firefighting resource.”

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