Rush

## Rush Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Rush Fire was first detected on July 10, 2025, around 7:00 AM PDT. It is located approximately 57 miles northwest of McCall, Idaho, within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. **Size and Containment**: As of the last reported update on July 26, 2025, the Rush Fire has burned approximately 7,185 acres. Containment figures are not consistently reported across all sources, with some indicating 0% containment. The estimated containment date is October 1, 2025. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is burning in steep, remote terrain, primarily fueled by brush (up to 2 feet) and short grass (up to 1 foot). It has been actively moving in a western direction along the western face of the Rush Creek drainage and has spread into the Big Creek drainage. Firefighters are observing debris rollout to the creek and slow backing fire activity along the south side of Big Creek. Recent trace rainfall has helped moderate fire activity. **Containment Efforts**: Unified command is in place, with the USDA Forest Service – Payette National Forest managing the incident. Fire personnel are scouting the fire's western perimeter and removing debris along the lower Big Creek Trail. Efforts include point protection at Taylor Ranch, where firefighters have secured all sides. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** As of the last available reports, no specific evacuation orders or warnings for the Rush Fire have been detailed for the current period. However, the Payette National Forest has issued trail closure orders due to existing fire behavior and safety concerns. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** * **Rush Creek Trail Closures**: Orders remain in place for various sections of the Rush Creek Trail and associated trails within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. These closures are for public safety. * **Soldier Bar Airstrip**: This airstrip has burned over and is closed for public safety. * **Big Creek Trail**: Debris removal is occurring along portions of the Big Creek Trail within the trail closure area. **For more information, visit:** * [Payette National Forest Alerts - Rush Fire Trail Closure](https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/payette/alerts/rush-fire-trail-closure) * [Map of Fire - Rush Fire](https://www.mapoffire.com/incidents/2025-IDPAF-005844) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: There is a focus on protecting structures at Taylor Ranch. The Soldier Bar airstrip has been burned over. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the Rush Fire itself. However, it is important to note that there was a separate, tragic incident on June 29, 2025, in northern Idaho where two firefighters were killed and a third wounded in an ambush while responding to a different wildfire. **School and Business Closures**: No school or business closures have been reported directly related to the Rush Fire. **Notable Impacts**: The fire is burning in a remote wilderness area, impacting natural habitats. **Safety Concerns:** * **Burn Bans/Fire Restrictions**: Specific burn bans or fire restrictions for the immediate Rush Fire area are not detailed in the latest reports. However, general fire season conditions and preparedness are being emphasized across Idaho. * **Air Quality**: Smoke from the fire may affect air quality in surrounding areas, though specific advisories are not detailed in the most recent reports. * **Weather Concerns**: An unstable weather pattern is expected with isolated thunderstorms, potentially bringing outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: The estimated containment date for the Rush Fire is October 1, 2025. Firefighters are continuing to scout the fire's western perimeter and manage the situation in the Big Creek drainage. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The forecast indicates an unstable weather pattern with a chance of isolated thunderstorms and potential outflow wind gusts up to 50 mph. Temperatures are expected to be near normal, with light winds outside of thunderstorms. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The Rush Fire was caused by lightning. **Weather and Climate**: The fire is occurring within a broader context of a predicted severe fire season for Idaho, influenced by a combination of wet winters followed by dry springs, leading to increased fuel availability. The current weather pattern features unstable conditions with chances of thunderstorms, which can influence fire behavior. ### **For more information, visit:** * [Payette National Forest - Rush Fire Information](https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/payette/fire-fighting/?cid=E564) * [Inciweb - Rush Fire](https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7970/) * [Map of Fire](https://www.mapoffire.com/incidents/2025-IDPAF-005844)

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