Firefighters battling a 225-acre wildfire in McPherson Canyon near Grace anticipate full containment by Sunday evening, with complete control expected by Tuesday night, according to fire officials managing the incident.
The human-caused fire ignited Friday evening on private property before spreading onto U.S. Forest Service land. As of 12:45 p.m. Sunday, crews had achieved 15 percent containment, with approximately 100 firefighters deployed to the scene. Ground crews have made steady progress establishing fire line along the fire’s perimeter, officials said.
Resources Deployed
Multiple agencies have mobilized equipment and personnel to combat the blaze. The Bear Lake County Fire Department and Caribou County Fire Department responded to the incident alongside federal firefighting resources. On the ground, six fire engines and one bulldozer have been positioned to contain the fire’s spread. Aircraft support includes Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 helicopter crews plus one air attack aircraft. Crews conducted two retardant drops by aircraft on Saturday to slow the fire’s advance.
Infrastructure and Weather Threats
The fire threatens multiple resources on the Montpelier Ranger District of Caribou-Targhee National Forest, including the municipal watershed serving nearby communities, big game habitat, the Burton Canyon Research Natural Area, and the Highline trail. No road or trail closures have been implemented as of Sunday.
Red Flag weather conditions are expected to persist into Monday, creating challenging firefighting conditions. Fire officials warned of low relative humidity and gusty winds that could affect containment efforts and aerial operations. In a statement, officials requested that the public keep personal drones and aircraft grounded in the fire area: “We can’t fly if you are,” they said.
No injuries have been reported among firefighters or residents. The incident remains under active management, with crews working extended operations to achieve the anticipated containment timeline.
This fire is one of several significant incidents across Southeast Idaho in recent weeks. The Big Rock Fire near Heise Hot Springs has also drawn substantial firefighting resources, highlighting the increased wildfire activity in the region during peak fire season.
What Comes Next
Firefighters expect to maintain or increase containment progress through Monday despite unfavorable weather. Full containment by Sunday evening would mark rapid progress on the incident, with complete control anticipated by Tuesday night. Residents in areas near the fire are advised to monitor local authorities for updates and to avoid the fire area to prevent interference with aerial operations and ground crews.