A wildfire broke out Sunday afternoon in the corridor between Inkom and Pocatello, prompting evacuation orders for portions of West Old Highway 91 and drawing a multi-agency response including aerial support from the U.S. Forest Service.
The Gap Fire was first reported just before 2:00 p.m. near the 6000 block of West Old Highway 91 in Bannock County. By 3:50 p.m., crews estimated the fire had consumed approximately 20 acres, and no containment timeline had been established. The cause of the fire remained unknown as of Sunday afternoon.
Evacuation Orders Issued, Then Partially Lifted
PBSWarn, the regional emergency alert system, published an evacuation order at approximately 4:40 p.m. covering West Old Highway 91 from the Grant Avenue intersection northward to Old Canyon Drive. Residents in that corridor were directed to leave immediately.
An earlier evacuation alert affecting Canyon Drive in Inkom was subsequently terminated, and those residents were cleared to return to their homes. Officials did not immediately provide an updated status on the remaining evacuation order as of Sunday evening.
The fire was highly visible to motorists traveling Interstate 15 through the area, which runs roughly parallel to the affected stretch of Old Highway 91. Drivers were urged to stay alert but keep moving through the corridor rather than stopping to observe the blaze.
Aerial and Ground Crews Battle Blaze
Multiple agencies mobilized ground crews to battle the fire, with a U.S. Forest Service helicopter bucket crew providing aerial support. Crews focused initial attack efforts on the fire’s southern flank in an effort to limit its spread.
BLM Idaho Fire urged the public to steer clear of the area so emergency personnel could work without obstruction. “Firefighter and public safety is the highest priority. Please avoid the area and give the firefighters room to work,” the agency stated.
No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported in early updates. With no containment percentage established by late afternoon, the situation remained fluid and crews were expected to work into the evening hours.
Fire Season Concerns in Southeast Idaho
The Gap Fire arrives at a time of elevated fire risk across the region. Dry conditions, lightning, and wind have combined to heighten fire danger across parts of Idaho, and the terrain between Inkom and Pocatello — marked by steep hillsides, dry grass, and brush — can allow fires to spread rapidly under the right conditions.
Bannock County residents living along the foothills and canyon areas adjacent to I-15 are accustomed to fire threats during the summer months, but a fire of this visibility in the heart of the metro corridor between the county’s two largest communities drew significant public attention Sunday afternoon.
Authorities have not released information on what sparked the blaze. Investigators were expected to examine the origin point once conditions allowed safe access.
What Comes Next
Firefighting crews were expected to continue working through Sunday evening and into the overnight hours to establish containment lines around the Gap Fire. Residents under active evacuation orders along West Old Highway 91 should monitor PBSWarn and official Bannock County emergency channels for updates before attempting to return home.
Officials have not announced a timeline for lifting the remaining evacuation order, and conditions can change rapidly depending on wind and humidity. Anyone living in the affected stretch between Grant Avenue and Old Canyon Drive should remain prepared to stay away until an all-clear is issued.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Updates on acreage, containment, and evacuation status are expected as crews make progress. Residents are encouraged to keep evacuation go-bags ready and stay informed through official emergency alert systems throughout the fire season.