Homes lost in Orofino, Idaho, fire

A new fire bore down on the Idaho town of Orofino Friday night, cutting power to some homes and sending firefighters scrambling to fight the wind-driven flames. Clearwater County Commissioner Don Ebert said Saturday there isn’t a clear picture yet of what has burned. “There has been homes lost,” he said. “I don’t know how many.” Helicopters and heavy equipment arrived to help fight the fire Saturday morning and Ebert said he’s been told air tankers are on the way. Meanwhile, he and his fellow commissioners are working to compile a list of resources that firefighters can use, make arrangements to feed the firefighters and help those who have been displaced by the fire. “Our mission is to offer support,” he said. The Clearwater Power Company said Saturday morning that more than 800 customers are without power after a substation went down. The fire has blocked access for repair crews and its unknown when repairs will be made. Cameron Eck of the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protection Association said the fire, now being called the Municipal Fire, may be as large as 1,000 acres. An incident command team is on the way to take over management of the fire. Residents along Cascade Drive, Pheasant Drive and Upper Fords Creek Road have been told to evacuate, while residents of Harmony Heights Loop have been told to prepare for evacuation. A shelter has been opened for evacuees at Orofino High School. A public information meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at Orofino Elementary School. Ebert said he’s proud of how his community has responded to the fire. “People here are amazing,” he said. “Everyone is working together. We have an awesome community.”