Idaho Gov. Brad Little and state officials hold a press conference on Aug. 23, 2024, to roll out a new report that recommends the 10 priorities to reduce the impacts of wildfire in 2024 and 2025. (Courtesy of the Idaho Governor’s Office)
Idaho Gov. Brad Little said his No. 1 focus is on the safety of civilians and firefighters in the face of what he described as the highest priority wildfire in the country.
The Wapiti Fire burning near Stanley and Grandjean in the Boise and Sawtooth National Forest surpassed 89,000 acres burned on Thursday, with containment still estimated at 0%, fire officials said .
The size of the wildfire increased by nearly 20,000 acres over the previous two days. On Tuesday, the Wapiti Fire had been listed at a little over 70,000 acres .
“Stanley’s the No. 1 fire in the nation right now,” Little said in an interview Wednesday at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
“When I’m doing fire, it’s always human health and safety (that are my top priorities),” Little added. “People stay safe. And then it’s property.”