The Paddock Fire continued to grow through the night Thursday, expanding on several fronts but primarily down the Ola/Sweet side of the Butte. With the additional acreages of grazing and grass lands consumed, numerous outbuildings and storage structures have been destroyed and the first report of a family losing its home has been received.
A fifth-wheel trailer, home to a family of six, was consumed by flames on Thursday.
Gem County Fire District 2 released the following information:
“WE NEED HELP. One of our firefighters tragically lost his home and belongings to the Paddock fire today. The family consists of dad, mom, daughters 15,13 and 12, son age 10.
Immediate need is as follows:
Gift cards for fuel, meals, groceries, necessities
Personal toiletries
Clothing-school clothes, pj’s, sweatshirts, ect.
15 yo daughter-women’s size 2 pants/jeans, small women’s tops, women’s 7.5 shoes
13 yo daughter-women’s size 5 pants/jeans, medium women’s tops, women’s shoes size 9.5
12 yo daughter-size 12 pants/jeans, size 12 tops, size 6.5 women’s shoes
10 yo boy-size 9/10 pants and shirt, size 3 mens shoes
Mom is 12 woman’s in jeans and xlarge in shirts
Dad 2x in shirts 42 in pants
Venmo is @Sandhollow-FireDEPT, donations can be dropped off at Parma Fire Department or coordinated with either Sand Hollow Fire or Parma Fire.
Much of the relief efforts are being handled by fire and emergency services outside the direct Paddock Fire area where all local fire services remain fully engaged in attempts to control the blaze – primarily protecting residences.
The State Fire Marshall has released additional information, estimating that the Paddock Fire has grown to more than 160,000 acres.
STATE FIRE MARSHALL RELEASE:
The Idaho State Fire Marshal’s Office has been closely monitoring and assist local firefighters and BLM with the 160,000 pulse Paddock Fire that greatly intensified this past Monday. Numerous outbuildings between Washington, Payette, and Gem County have been destroyed. Today, Ola suffered its first permanent residence loss. Unfortunately the loss was to one of the courageous volunteer firefighters who was napping after a hard fight on the fire line. Fortunately his fellow firefighters were able to wake him before he could have been trapped.
Many homeowners owe a debt of gratitude to all the firefighters working to save their homes. Without them, the outcome, up to this point, would be much different.