“The firefighting efforts over the past 24 hours have been remarkable. The weather was wild but the response has been extremely effective. We want to sincerely thank all the firefighters for their tireless efforts.”– Ken Rider, General Manager of Brundage Mountain.
On Wednesday, a wildfire caused by a lightning strike hit Brundage Mountain Resort in Idaho. The Rainbow Fire has grown five acres, burning around the Hidden Valley area of the mountain. Luckily, Brundage Mountain is conveniently located near multiple water sources. Since then, firefighters, smokejumpers, and the U.S. Forest Service have contained the fire, using methods like dropping water and retardant. We’ll keep you posted on the latest developments on the Rainbow Fire.
An official statement from Brundage Mountain Resort regarding the situation is below.
McCALL, ID (Thursday, September 8, 2022 – 7:00 pm MT) – The five-acre Rainbow Fire, burning on Brundage Mountain, saw no significant growth this afternoon, thanks to the valiant efforts of fire crews from multiple agencies.
The Rainbow Fire was sparked by lightning during a thunderstorm event on the evening of Wednesday, September 7 and is burning in the Hidden Valley area, to the north of Brundage Mountain’s main front side runs. No structures are in danger.
The Forest Service dropped smokejumpers on the fire before dark last night to begin initial attack alongside several engine crews. Firefighters from SITPA (Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association) and the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) also aided in the initial attack efforts overnight.
Today, multiple crews attacked the fire from the ground and air. Four engines were on the scene along with Forest Service Smokejumpers and Hotshot crews. Scoopers spent the entire morning dipping into Payette Lake and dumping water on the flames, with the help of helicopter and retardant drops.
“The firefighting efforts over the past 24 hours have been remarkable,” says Brundage Mountain General Manager, Ken Rider. “The weather was wild but the response has been extremely effective. We want to sincerely thank all the firefighters for their tireless efforts.”
While there was no fire growth today, firefighting efforts continue and crews will remain on site to secure fire lines, watch for growth and work toward containment of the fire.
Background: Brundage Mountain Resort is steeped in Idaho history and offers a charming, accessible local vibe. Brundage has been providing a high-value, family-friendly skiing experience for more than 60 years.
Known for the “Best Snow in Idaho”, Brundage Mountain is blessed with more than 320 inches of base area snow annually, which creates a consistently satisfying mix of bluebird and powder days throughout the winter season.
Future improvements at the independently owned resort will expand the on-site recreational experience and complement the endless adventure-based experiences on the vast Payette National Forest in Brundage Mountain’s backyard, all while preserving and enhancing the attributes that make Brundage a true Idaho original.
Image Credits: Payette National Forest, Brundage Mountain Resort
