BY KAREN BOSSICK

Wood River Valley fire evacuees played the waiting game Monday to see if they would be allowed back into their homes following a wildfire that threatened homes in Ohio Gulch, the Valley Club and Indian Creek.

Finally, shortly after 8 p.m. Monday night, the news came:

They would be allowed back into their homes, but should conditions change they should be ready to evacuate again at a moment’s notice.

Loren Wood caught this picture of a fire engine heading to the scene.

Even then, those who hadn’t already settled in for the night somewhere else, were in a “ready, set, go” mode as they were instructed to wait until 9 p.m. to return home.

Indian Creek Road and the Heatherlands remain in a soft closure open to residents only. Bicyclists, off-road vehicles and hikers will not be allowed back in Ohio Gulch and Indian creek for the next several days as fire crews continue to monitor the burn area.

Golfers and those wanting to visit the dump today will be allowed back to the transfer station and the Valley Club.

The Hiawatha and Red Devil and Triumph from the mine east neighborhoods remain in Set status, as be set to go at a moment’s notice.

A pyrocumulus cloud generated by the intense heat of the wildfire loomed beyond the Sun Valley Pavilion on Saturday. PHOTO: Karen Bossick

The 2,035-acre fire that started Saturday in Ohio Gulch north of Hailey was 60 percent contained by Monday evening, according to Watch Duty.

Authorities hope to contain it by 6 p.m. tonight, weather permitting.

Miraculously, no structures have been lost despite hot dry conditions in the middle of a drought.

Seven fire engines and two helicopters worked on the fire Monday to address areas that were still smoldering amidst temperatures that climbed to 91 degrees in Hailey.

Susan McKee took this picture of the fire’s start after being turned back when she was on her way to Winn’s Compost.

About 125 firefighters were on the scene, some of them trying to keep an active fire east of the Indian Creek neighborhood from getting into nearby timber.

Parts of the valley got a light sprinkle overnight. A 20 percent chance of rain—and thunderstorms--increases to a 70 percent chance for showers by midday Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The fire is being managed by Blaine County Fire and Rescue and other local fire agencies, the Bureau of Land Management and government agencies.

The fire, officially dubbed the Ohio Fire, was reported at 1:41 p.m. Saturday, July 17, on the south side of Ohio Gulch on lands owned by the Idaho Department of Lands 1.2 miles from Highway 75.

Part of the fire got to the top of one of the hills overlooking East Fork Saturday night. PHOTO: Karen Bossick

Those who started the fire called 911 and turned themselves in, according to the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s department has not confirmed whether those accepting responsibility for the fire were the five young adults depicted in a video that might possibly show the blaze’s origin that has been circulating on social media.

The American Red Cross set up a shelter for evacuees at the Life Church in Hailey, and  Mountain Humane offered to temporarily house animals of evacuees.

A SILVER LINING?

The morning commute going into Ketchum seemed a little lighter Monday morning. Is it possible that enough evacuees are staying with friends and family in Ketchum and Elkhorn that it made a difference? If so, maybe those friends and family should extend an invitation through the remainder of road construction season!