More aviation resources to arrive at Bench Lake Fire

STANLEY, Idaho — Two water scooper aircraft, a Type 2 helicopter with heli-rappelers, one Type 3 helicopter and one air attack aircraft drove suppression efforts today on the Bench Lake Fire.

According to the United States Forest Service, the fire, which started approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday eight miles south of Stanley, has burned approximately 80 acres in the Sawtooth Wilderness.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Local Type 3 Incident Commander Chris Belliston said fire movement was slowed considerably today by water drops from Scoopers, which ran two fuel cycles over the fire. Additionally, Bench Lake and a rocky outcrop hold the fire in check on its west side.

Currently, officials have assigned 76 resources to the fire. The terrain in the fire area makes access difficult for ground resources other than crews. The Logan Hot Shots are on site, while the Mormon Lake Hot Shots are due tomorrow afternoon. While aviation resources will continue their work and an additional Type 1 aircraft is inbound, on-the-ground resources are expected to be more significant in suppression efforts tomorrow.

The Bench Lake Area, Road, and Trail Closure, which encompasses the Redfish Lake recreation complex, went into effect at 6 p.m. Custer County resources are assisting with notifying campers and evacuating visitors.

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Steve Shaw, will inbrief with the local Type 3 team at 10 a.m. tomorrow and assume command at 6 p.m.