‘Maze Fire’ swells to 900 acres; Evacuation Shelter established if needed
Seth Ratliff
UPDATE: 6:25 PM
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — The Maze Fire west of Rexburg has grown to an estimated 900 acres, per WatchDuty.
If needed, an evacuation shelter has been established for families and residents who have been evacuated at the Henry’s Fork LDS Stake Center at 1508 W 3000 N, Rexburg, ID.
“If you have been displaced by the wildfire and need a safe place to go, the shelter is available to assist you,” said the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
For the latest updates on evacuations, click HERE.
UPDATE: 6:15 PM
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A fast-moving wildfire west of Rexburg has rapidly expanded to an estimated 600 acres, prompting local authorities to issue initial evacuation warnings for nearby residents.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is on the scene assisting fire crews. The Unified Sportsmen’s Club gun range has been completely evacuated, and the area is strictly closed to everyone except authorized emergency personnel.
According to data from the WildCad interagency fire system, the “Maze Fire” broke out sometime before 4:00 p.m. near the Unified Sportsmen’s Club (Sportsman Gun Range) off West Highway 33.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office has issued a READY Status (Level 1 Alert) as part of the Ready, Set, Go Evacuation alert program for residents on 6000 W who are North of West Hwy 33 in Rexburg up to the Plano townsite.
“This is NOT an evacuation order. However, now is the time to prepare in case conditions change,” stated the Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post.
How to Prepare:
Gather important documents, medications, pets, and essential belongings.
Make a plan for where you will go if an evacuation becomes necessary.
Stay alert for official updates.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to stay clear of the vicinity to ensure first responders can do their jobs safely. Members of the public are also strictly prohibited from flying drones anywhere near the wildfire.
“If you fly a drone near the fire, firefighting aircraft may be forced to stop operations, delaying suppression efforts and putting lives at greater risk. If you fly, they can’t,” states MCSO.
ORIGINAL:
REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) — A fast-moving wildfire west of Rexburg is forcing potential evacuations in Madison County.
The blaze, dubbed the “Maze Fire,” began sometime before 4 p.m. near the Unified Sportsmen’s Club, according to WatchDuty.com.
Official reports estimate the fire has grown to around 150 acres in the last hour.
In an official Wireless Emergency Alert, the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire directed residents on 6000 W who are North of West Hwy 33 in Rexburg up to the Plano townsite to be READY to evacuate.
This is a developing story. Local News 8 has a crew en route and will provide updates live on air and online as we learn more.