Texas fire near Kendrick contains fire near 60% | Idaho

KENDRICK — Crews continue to battle the Texas Fire, burning east of Kendrick on the border of Latah and Nez Perce County.

According to a Monday morning update from officials, the total size of the fire was estimated at 1,565 acres. New, recent maps of the fire have lowered the size estimate by 10 acres from the previous estimate.

Containment rose to 60% as firefighters made significant progress securing the fire line Sunday. Officials say crews have completed initial cleanup efforts for most of the fire area.

Firefighters stationed at the eastern fire zone laid hoses across three-quarters of the area on Sunday, and fire engines were deployed to areas where hoses could not be laid.

Also Sunday, a tree stump fell, causing visible smoke to billow from the interior of the eastern fire. Crews responded quickly and cooled the area with water. As cleanup efforts continue, smoke may still be visible from time to time inside the fire, officials said.

Officials say firefighters will reinforce the fire line and address areas of smoke and heat as needed Monday. Crews will continue to remove brushed fuels and install additional hoses to extinguish remaining heat where possible.

On Saturday morning, all evacuation orders were lifted and all roads in the region were reopened.

According to the Idaho Department of Lands’ latest update on building damage, four primary residences and six outbuildings were lost to the fire.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced last week that federal funds have been made available to cover the costs of fighting the Texas fire.

The state of Idaho’s request for a federal Fire Management Assistance Grant was approved Tuesday night by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn. “He determined that the Texas Fire threatened to cause enough devastation to constitute a major disaster,” according to a FEMA press release. This is the first grant approved in 2024 to help fight wildfires in Idaho.

At the time of the state’s request, officials said the wildfire was threatening homes in and around Kendrick. The fire also threatened several cell towers, radio towers, private transmission lines and agricultural assets in the area.

Idaho Department of Lands firefighters began an aggressive attack Monday on the Potlatch River Canyon wildfire near the intersection of Texas Ridge Road and Cedar Ridge Road. Texas Ridge and East Road were closed to the public Monday evening.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.