BC South Fire Protection District

08/30/2026

STRUCTURE FIRE QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED IN KETCHUM

At approximately 2:41 p.m. on August 29, Blaine County Fire and Rescue responded from its Ketchum Station to a reported electrical problem at a residence. The homeowner reported seeing light smoke coming from the main floor of the house.

Upon arrival, the crew from Ketchum Engine 1 began investigating and discovered an active fire in a bathroom. The fire may have been started by a baseboard heater located below a vanity. Firefighters quickly went to work and knocked down the fire, preventing it from spreading further into the structure.

Crews then carefully checked the residence for any extension of the fire and remained on scene until they confirmed there was no threat of rekindling. The home was then turned back over to the homeowners.

To maintain coverage in the North Valley, Engine 651 moved up from Hailey while crews operated at the structure fire. Before the fire call was completed, crews in the South Valley also handled two EMS calls.

Blaine County Fire and Rescue was assisted through mutual aid by the City of Sun Valley Fire Department. No injuries were reported.

08/27/2026

🚒 2026 Blaine County Fire Academy Kicks Off! 🚒

The 2026 Blaine County Fire Academy officially kicked off tonight!

Over the next three months, our cadets will take part in extensive training as they build the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to serve their communities as firefighters.

We wish all of this year’s cadets the best of luck throughout the academy and thank them for their commitment, dedication, and willingness to serve their communities.

Good luck, cadets! We look forward to watching your progress over the next three months!

08/20/2026

Effective immediately, all private property within the BC South Fire Protection District is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. These restrictions were adopted by the district’s Board of Fire Commissioners on August 19, 2026, to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires.

While restrictions are in effect, the following activities are prohibited:

• Using an open flame outside of an approved, permanently constructed fire ring or residential fire pit with a spark screen
• Using fireworks, exploding targets, tracers, rockets or other incendiary devices
• Smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle, building, developed recreation site or a cleared area at least three feet in diameter
• Operating a combustion engine without a properly installed and maintained spark arrestor
• Welding or using an acetylene or other open-flame torch

Violations are unlawful and may be charged as a misdemeanor.

Public lands in and around Blaine County are also under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Conditions remain extremely dry, and everyone is asked to use extreme caution and help prevent human-caused fires.

To determine whether your property is within the BC South Fire Protection District, visit:
https://maps.wrfr.com/bcsfpd.php

08/12/2026

Last night, August 11th, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Blaine County Fire and Rescue was paged to a grass and brush fire along the highway near mile marker 106, south of Bellevue.

Upon arrival, crews found flames burning through grass and brush and threatening nearby trees. Engine 653, staffed with three crew members, quickly extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading into nearby fields, with Water Tender 673 providing additional support.

The fire was knocked down at approximately 11:47 p.m. and declared out at 12:43 a.m.

No property damage or injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Conditions in the area remain extremely dry. Blaine County Fire and Rescue reminds everyone to use extreme caution with anything that could create a spark or flame, as even a small spark can quickly ignite a fast-moving grass or brush fire.

08/07/2026

Not every rescue involves lights and sirens. 🐈🚒

This afternoon, Blaine County Fire and Rescue came to the aid of a house cat that had fallen into the dumpster at BCFR Station 3, just south of Bellevue, and couldn’t get back out.

BCFR member Devon King went to work and was able to safely rescue the curious feline. After a quick check, the cat was released and appeared to be unharmed.

Just another day on the job for Blaine County Fire and Rescue. We’re always happy to lend a helping hand or paw! 🐾

08/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest/posts/pfbid035Qvjbv8HHM7WRMvQXfAJKRYsUTycTZT5DPVCU4aDRXrcawzgcwfoEyjau6MA67ZBl

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which have been in place on National Forest Systems lands in the Cassia Fire Restrictions Zone since July 1, will extend to include all National Forest System, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and State lands, as well as private forest and rangelands, in the South Idaho Interagency Dispatch Area 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 7.

Additional details can be found in the press release posted online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/newsroom/releases

The official orders for Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on National Forest System lands can be found online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/alerts.

08/06/2026

Overnight Fire Response at Ohio Gulch Transfer Station

At approximately 12:40 a.m. on Thursday, August 6, Blaine County Fire and Rescue was dispatched to the Southern Idaho Solid Waste Ohio Gulch Transfer Station off Ohio Gulch Road near Hailey for a reported vegetation and brush fire.

Upon arrival, firefighters determined that no vegetation or brush was burning. Instead, crews found a large pile of construction debris on fire within the transfer station. Firefighters worked to keep the fire contained to the debris pile while preventing it from spreading to the surrounding vegetation.

Fire suppression efforts were coordinated with transfer station personnel, who used a bulldozer and excavator to spread and move the burning debris, allowing firefighters to access hotspots and extinguish the fire more effectively.

A total of two engines, one water tender, and seven firefighters responded to the incident.

While the on-duty crews remained committed to the fire, additional emergency coverage throughout the Wood River Valley was maintained by off-duty Blaine County Fire and Rescue personnel, who responded to multiple medical emergencies and helped support fire staffing throughout the incident. An EMS crew from Blaine County Fire and Rescue’s North Valley (Ketchum) Station also relocated to Hailey to ensure continued emergency medical coverage for the community.

The fire was declared contained at approximately 7:20 a.m. The scene was then turned over to transfer station personnel, who will continue spreading the debris and monitoring the material to prevent any rekindling.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

08/06/2026

Join Blaine County Fire and Rescue for another Firehouse Story Squad this Friday, August 7, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hailey Public Library!

Bring your preschoolers for a fun morning of stories read by our firefighters and paramedics, followed by an opportunity to check out a fire engine and ambulance (emergency responses permitting).

Firehouse Story Squad is held on the first Friday of each month and is a great way for children to become familiar with the firefighters and EMS personnel who serve our community in a fun, relaxed setting.

The event is free, no registration is required, and everyone is welcome!

📍 Hailey Public Library
🗓 Friday, August 7
🕚 11:00 a.m.

We hope to see you there!

Please note: Firehouse Story Squad is subject to firefighter and EMS availability, as emergency calls may require personnel to respond before or during the event.