Boise National Forest wildfire near Stanley, Idaho, wreaks havoc with recreation, transportation

Idaho’s Stanley Lake recreation complex and connecting trails will close because of a lightning-caused wildfire, the U.S. Forest Service said on Facebook on Tuesday.

The Wapiti fire, which has burned around 9,000 acres, jumped the ridge of the Sawtooths and established in the Elk Creek and Stanley Lake Creek drainage areas, the Forest Service said.

“Implementation of the closure area has started under emergency conditions,” the Forest Service said. “We thank visitors for their patience, understanding, and cooperation as we deal with this evolving incident.”

The Wapiti fire in the Boise National Forest is only about 10% contained. The same fire is to blame for the recent closure of a 15-mile stretch of Idaho Highway 21, according to previous Statesman reporting. All lanes of the highway are closed near Grandjean to Banner Creek Summit. Drivers should detour through Ketchum along Idaho 75, the Statesman reported.

The Sawtooth National Recreation Area around Stanley is a popular destination — 585,000 visited it in 2020, according to previous Statesman reporting. Stanley Lake has a “breathtaking view” of the Sawtooth Mountains, according to Idaho Fish and Game.

This isn’t the first closure this year in that area. The Redfish Lake Inlet Campground closed earlier this year because of the Bench Lake fire. It has since reopened.