2025 Idaho wildfires


The 2025 Idaho wildfires were a series of wildfires that burned throughout the U.S. state of Idaho.

Background

While the "fire season" in Idaho varies every year based on fire weather conditions, most wildfires occur from June to September. Fire activities normally increase in July and August because of drier conditions, hotter temperatures, and more lightning strikes from thunderstorms. However, wildfire severity can vary every year based on preseason conditions such as snowpack and the overcrowded growth of vegetation and dying trees.

Summary

By early summer, Idaho’s 2025 wildfire season was already active, driven by dry fuels, low moisture levels, and abundant lightning storms. Several fires ignited across the state before July, especially in forested and mountainous regions.
Lightning storms in late August burned across northern Idaho. In the Coeur d’Alene zone alone, around 29 wildfires were started by lightning between August 29–30; most were controlled, though a few escaped initial attack lines. Among them, the Ulm Creek Fire had grown from ~100 to ~400 acres under a Type-3 incident organization.
By late summer and early fall, several large fires had burned tens of thousands of acres across multiple counties. Smoke from these fires degraded air quality across many parts of the state, especially in central and northern Idaho. Fire crews faced supply constraints, rugged terrain, and the challenge of widely scattered fires stretching over remote landscapes.
Officials noted additional ignitions and fire growth were likely through October, especially with dry fuels and late-season lightning possibilities. In mid November, the Idaho Department of Lands Director reported the state's expenses for the 2025 wildfire season netted about $40.6 million. This marked a steep reduction from the 2024 Idaho wildfire season, where state wildfire expenses were estimated around $58 million.

List of wildfires

The following is a list of fires that burned more than, or produced significant structural damage or casualties.
NameCountyAcresStart dateContainment dateNotesRef
Twin ButteOwyhee28 5 202529 5 2025Human-caused. Burned about south of Glenns Ferry.
AshlockPayette29 5 202529 5 2025Burned on Bureau of Land Management lands. Many fire agencies responded to the fire.
DunesWashington3 6 20254 6 2025Burned about away from Huntington, Oregon.
Garden CreekBingham1 7 20253 7 2025Cause under investigation, but likely human-caused. Evacuations issued by tribal leaders near Fort Hall.
Winter CampOwyhee1 7 20251 7 2025Unknown cause. Burned on Idaho Department of Lands area.
Big BearIdaho9 7 2025Lightning-caused. Burning northeast of McCall.
RushValley10 7 2025Lightning-caused. Burning in Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness.
GrassyFremont11 7 202513 7 2025Undetermined cause. Burned north of Saint Anthony.
TindallOwyhee15 7 202516 7 2025Undetermined cause. Burning southwest of Mountain Home.
BuckboardOneida15 7 202518 7 2025Undetermined cause. Burned on BLM lands.
Mm 64 I84Ada19 7 202520 7 2025Affected Interstate 84. Evacuations were "recommended" for nearby residents. Destroyed one outbuilding. Burned southeast of Boise.
BlackstoneOwyhee29 7 20256 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burned southeast of Bruneau.
ElkhornCuster29 7 2025Lightning-caused. Burning east of Challis.
Lightning CreekBonner30 7 2025Lightning-caused. Burning east of Hope.
RangeAda31 7 20252 8 2025Evacuations were ordered in South Pleasant Valley Road and West Thompson Road.
StrikerOwyhee31 7 20251 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burned northeast of Murphy.
Island CreekIdaho1 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burning north of Elk City.
RockValley, Adams13 8 2025Consists of several small lightning-caused wildfires in Boise National Forest.
BoxOwyhee13 8 202529 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burned southwest of Grandview.
SunsetBonner13 8 20252 9 2025Cause under investigation. Burned near Lake Pend Orielle and destroyed twenty structures, including six houses.
MireClearwater, Idaho13 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burning northeast of Lowell.
Hooker CreekMalheur (OR), Owyhee16 8 202518 8 2025Unknown cause. Started in Oregon and burned east of Valley, Oregon.
EastIdaho20 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burning northwest of Powell.
Rhoda CreekIdaho20 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burning northeast of Lowell.
Split TopBlaine23 8 202524 8 2025Human-caused. Burned northwest of Aberdeen.
WalkIdaho23 8 2025Lightning-caused. Burning east of Elk City.
Ulm CreekShoshone, Sanders (MT)30 8 2025Lighting-caused. Burning north of Prichard.
White PineLatah31 8 2025Unknown cause. Burning northeast of Harvard. Prompting evacuations and closed White Pine Campground.