Officials confirm Bench Lake Fire caused by humans, Redfish Lake begins reopening

STANLEY — The Bench Lake Fire is 85% contained arsenic of Monday and has burned 2,595 acres.

A full of 133 personnel, 4 occurrence engines, and 2 helicopters proceed to activity connected extinguishing nan fire.

According to a news merchandise from nan U.S. Forest Service, nan wildfire was human-caused but further accusation was not elaborate successful nan release.

“Operations proceed to beryllium concentrated connected soul mop-up and erosion power measures, arsenic advised by assets experts,” states nan release. The burned area of nan occurrence remains nether closure orders.”

Visitors must stay 300 feet, astir nan magnitude of a shot field, from nan westbound slope shoreline while recreating successful Redfish Lake to guarantee nationalist wellness and information and let firefighters to proceed basal activity successful nan area.

The area betwixt Point Campground and Inlet Campground remains closed to nan public.

Map of nan Bench reservoir Fire’s existent containment. | U.S. Forest Service.

As nan occurrence reaches full containment, definite areas are reopening to visitors pinch existing reservations. On Sunday, Redfish Lodge guests pinch existing reservations were allowed entry.

“The Redfish Lake Recreation analyzable began welcoming backmost visitors successful a phased approach,” states nan release. “Mystic Saddles Outfitters person besides resumed operations. On nan 29th, campers pinch existing reservations will beryllium allowed to participate nan recreation complex, and connected nan 30th, a mostly of nan analyzable will beryllium re-opened to nan public.”

Officials are reminding nan nationalist to beryllium alert of nan Bench Lake Fire Incident Command Post arsenic they recreation though nan area.

“Please beryllium alert that nan Bench Lake Fire Incident Command Post is located connected Highway 75, nan Sawtooth Scenic Byway. The posted velocity limit is 65 miles per hour,” states nan release. “Fire unit and instrumentality are moving successful and retired astatine each hours and are actively utilizing nan bid station and adjacent staging areas for occurrence guidance operations. For your information and nan information of our occurrence crews, please slowdown successful nan area, stay vigilant, and watch for vehicles and instrumentality entering and exiting nan roadway.”

Smoke still remains visible wrong nan pain area, but officials opportunity overmuch of nan fume affecting nan broader region is from ongoing wildfires successful Oregon and California.