STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTO BY TAAN ROBRAHN

At least 20 firefighters fought a fire overnight in Quigley Canyon east of Hailey.

Wood River Fire Rescue and Hailey Fire Department responded to a wildland fire out Quigley Canyon just after midnight today--Saturday, June 13.

WRFR Chief Ron Bateman said the first unit reported smoke visible from east Hailey and requested additional resources from Bellevue Fire Department, Ketchum Fire Department and Sun Valley Fire Department.

Upon arriving on the scene, WRFR Engine 611 reported a five to 10-acre fire on the northern part of the canyon on the southern aspect of the slope. The fire was moving slowly uphill.

The Bureau of Land Management, which was also notified, affirmed that the fire was on BLM property. The BLM called multiple resources from Shoshone, which arrived on the scene about 2:30 a.m.

The BLM assumed command of the fire at 3:40 a.m.

It’s expected that crews will be on the scene for an extended period of time. Recreationalists should avoid the area, Bateman said.

No evacuation orders are in effect at this time.

Conditions are extremely dry for mid-June. Vegetation was crackling underfoot in Greenhorn and Croy canyons even last week. And many creeks have already dried up.