A fast-moving structure fire at a building along Yellowstone Highway prompted the emergency evacuation of a nearby RV park Wednesday in the Thornton area of Madison County, with first responders urging drivers to avoid the area as crews worked to contain the blaze.
The Madison County Fire Department ordered residents at the Wind Willow RV Park to evacuate as firefighters battled the spreading fire at the old Thornton Merc near the Exit 328 off-ramp on Highway 20. The fire also knocked out power across the general Thornton area, with restoration expected by 5 p.m. on May 21.
Deputies, Emergency Personnel Mobilize at Scene
More than 15 Madison County Sheriff’s deputies were deployed to assist fire crews on the ground. Law enforcement personnel directed residents to comply with evacuation orders and guided traffic away from the affected area. The Exit 328 off-ramp was temporarily shut down during active firefighting operations but has since reopened to traffic.
Motorists in the region were advised to seek alternate routes to give first responders room to work safely. The combination of an active fire, a power outage, and an evacuation zone created a significant disruption along Yellowstone Highway and the surrounding corridor.
Temporary Shelter Established for Displaced Residents
A temporary shelter was set up for any residents displaced by the evacuation at the LDS Stake Center located at 2041 W 5200 S in Rexburg. Madison County Community Emergency Response Team members and chaplains were dispatched to the shelter site to provide assistance and resources to those affected.
Authorities have not yet released information on injuries, the cause of the fire, or the extent of structural damage to the Thornton Merc building. This remains an active and developing situation.
Incidents like this are a reminder of the risks that can emerge quickly in Idaho’s rural communities, where response times can be stretched and resources must be coordinated across multiple agencies. Bannock County residents have faced similar public safety challenges in recent months — a Pocatello man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Yellowstone Avenue earlier this spring, and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office has urged outdoor safety awareness following four water rescues in a single month.
What Comes Next
Investigators will work to determine the origin and cause of the fire once the scene is secured and safe to access. Power company crews are expected to restore electricity to the Thornton area by Wednesday evening. Officials have not yet indicated when residents will be permitted to return to the Wind Willow RV Park, and that timeline will depend on the extent of any ongoing hazards at the fire site.
Residents in the Thornton area with questions or in need of assistance are encouraged to contact local emergency management or make their way to the shelter at the Rexburg LDS Stake Center. Anyone traveling through the region should monitor local traffic and emergency alerts for updated information on road conditions near Exit 328 on Highway 20. Additional details are expected to be released by the Madison County Fire Department and Sheriff’s Office as the situation develops.