The Tartar Fire burning northwest of Weiser in Washington County, Idaho continues to grow and threatens communities along the Snake River corridor. As of the latest NIFC report, the fire has burned 97,143 acres and is 16 percent contained, though earlier reports from Tuesday morning indicated the fire had surpassed 107,000 acres in size as crews worked to establish containment lines.

Fire Location and Behavior

The Tartar Fire ignited approximately 21 miles northwest of Weiser on BLM-managed lands in the Boise District. The fire has exhibited rapid growth behavior driven by hot, dry conditions and terrain-driven winds. It has burned through a mix of sagebrush steppe, grass, and rangeland, with the potential to impact agricultural operations, rural structures, and Highway 95.

Firefighters have been constructing dozer lines near the Mann Creek Reservoir area and utilizing roads and ridgelines as anchor points for containment work. Aerial resources have been active on the fire when weather conditions permit safe operations.

Evacuations and Road Closures

The Adams County and Washington County Sheriff Offices have issued Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation orders for areas near the fire. Highway 95 has been closed between Midvale and Park Street in Weiser (mileposts 94 through the city) due to the fire threatening the corridor.

  • Level 3 - Evacuate Now: Residents in designated zones must leave immediately
  • Level 2 - Be Set: Residents should be packed and ready to leave at a moment of notice
  • Level 1 - Be Ready: Residents in the outer buffer should monitor conditions closely

FEMA Approves Fire Management Assistance Grant

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved Idaho Governor Brad Little's request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the Tartar Fire on Sunday morning. FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Vincent J. Maykovich approved the declaration at 5:51 a.m. PT.

The FMAG program authorizes the use of federal funds to pay up to 75 percent of eligible state and local firefighting and emergency costs associated with the Tartar Fire, providing critical financial relief to Idaho and affected counties as suppression costs mount.

Other Active Idaho Fires

The Tartar Fire is one of eight active large fires burning in Idaho. Other notable incidents include:

  • Upper Smith Fire — Idaho Panhandle National Forest, 2,191 acres, 40% contained (6 miles west of Porthill)
  • Cascade Fire — Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, 432 acres, 0% contained (22 miles east of Lowell)
  • Moose Mountain Fire — Nez Perce-Clearwater, 320 acres, 0% contained (new fire reported August 2)
  • Big Rock Fire — BLM Idaho Falls District, 2,400 acres, 0% contained (20 miles east of Idaho Falls)
  • Doublesprings Fire — Salmon-Challis National Forest, 600 acres, 0% contained (31 miles northwest of Mackay)

Residents near active fire areas throughout Idaho are urged to monitor the Idaho Office of Emergency Management at iowm.idaho.gov and sign up for local emergency alerts through their county sheriff offices.