A fire screaming through the Idaho. Officials say hundreds of people have fled the inferno leaving the landscape virtually deserted displacing residents of more than 2,000 homes. For nearly two weeks,19 aircrafts along with more than 1,000 firefighters have fought to keep the flames at bay.They thought they had it well under control until yesterday, when winds started to kick things up.
A lighting strike sparked a fire near Sun Valley, Idaho on August 7, a resort area with a population of more than 1,000 people. Officials say they managed to somewhat subdue it after it caused approximately 101,000 acres of damage in the Sawtooth National Forest, according to a report. Authorities called for an evacuation of 200 homes around Hailey, another area about 13 miles away from Sun Valley. August 18, ready to lift the notice, they said “gusty winds threatened to breathe new life into the blaze.”
Sun Valley is a ski resort that uses pressurized water cannons to make snow. Resort workers and local authorities aimed the cannons yesterday at a mountain in the path of the fire in an effort to slow down the blaze.
Officials said fire crews are somewhat concerned about their prospects for managing the now named “Beaver Creek” fire fully as it has scorched at least eight structures already.They said the pattern of burning seems “erratic” and “extreme engulfing whole trees” at a time.” Beth Lund, a supervisor with the U.S. Forest Service said that although the first has displaced thousands, everyone still remains confident as the area’s humidity will help get matters under control.
“I think we are getting to the point where we can start making progress rather than just be on the defensive,” she said. “But when Mother Nature feels she has the upper hand, she keeps it for a while.”