Whitetail Loop Fire grows to 500 acres, two homes lost, others threatened

The Whitetail Loop Fire near Ahsahka has grown significantly and is now approximately 500 acres Monday, according to Idaho Department of Lands.

At least two homes have burned, others are threatened. New Hope subdivision is not directly threatened at this time. Evacuation orders are still in place through the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team is now in place and more resources have been ordered. Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (C-PTPA), Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and rural fire departments are assisting with 180 people on the fireline. They are working on steep terrain using narrow roads. Dozers and firefighters creating hand lines are doing the heavy lifting, working to get a line around the fire.

The air attack Sunday included helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from Orofino, Coeur e'Alene, Grangeville and Missoula that dropped both fire and retardant on the wildfire.

For evacuation information call the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office (208-476-4521). Report all wildfires to the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch Center (208-983-6800) or call 911.

For more information about the Whitetail Loop Fire, please contact the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Information Line at (208) 334-0233.

Clearwater County Sheriff Chris Goetz confirmed that two homes have been lost and others are threatened. Weather earlier Monday allowed the hand crews to make a lot of progress. Even with that there is still a lot of fire that does not have any containment at this time.

"No additional evacuations have been needed today and we will be evaluating when it will be safe to get those evacuated back home. We have been escorting residents back into their homes to gather needed items that they could not get out yesterday." Goetz said.

This photo by Tim Roeher shows a home on White Tail Loop above the wildfire. Below the smoke are Riverside Water Wastewater Ponds, U.S. Highway 12 and storage sheds

Watch for more photos.