At least one home lost in fast moving Orofino wildfire

Two structures, at least one a home, were destroyed by a wildfire that started about 5:30 p.m. Friday across Orofino Creek from Michigan Ave.

The fire was sparked during a wind storm and that was blowing down small branches and bending trees. Cause and exact starting point are still under investigation, according to fire officials.

Residents from the areas of Forest Loop, Cascade Dr., Stoddard Rd., Grasser Rd., Crow Bench and portions of Harmony Heights Loop and Upper Fords Creek Rd. have been evacuated or given notice to be ready to move.

A Red Cross shelter has been opened at Orofino High School for those who need to evacuate. The fair livestock barn at Orofino City Park is available for livestock displaced by the fire.

Numerous agencies are involved with fire fighting including Orofino Fire Department, Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, Upper Fords Rural Fire Department, Sunnyside Rural Fire Department, Evergreen Rural Fire Department, Twin Ridge Rural Fire Department and contractors. Clearwater County Ambulance Service is on stand-by at the Incident Command post. Law enforcement has been and continues to work on notification of the need for evacuations, as well as traffic control.

Friday night the primary activity will be point protection, especially around structures. Highest priority is fire fighter and public safety. Additional resources are being requested for Saturday morning, but with numerous large wildfires in the region, resources are stretched thin.

With the extreme dry conditions, everyone needs to be very careful with any thing that could ignite a fire. Also be vigilant and report any signs of wildfire via 911.

Photos shot from Independence courtesy of Rene'e Hedrick