Although the fire started in Gooding County the effects were felt to the north and close highways 93 and 24 to Shoshone and east of Shoshone and the fire jumped Route 26 many times. It was a grass and brush fire started by lightning on July 9th about 5 miles south of Shoshone and grew to around 30,000 acres.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS PIH wrote it up.
Although the fire started in Gooding County the effects were felt to the north and close highways 93 and 24 to Shoshone and east of Shoshone and the fire jumped Route 26 many times. It was a grass and brush fire started by lightning on July 9th about 5 miles south of Shoshone and grew to around 30,000 acres. It was contained on July 13th.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Pocatello, ID wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 9, 12:30 PM MST, 3 hours 30 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Pocatello ID 130 PM MDT Sun Jul 9 2017 .DISCUSSION...A ridge of high pressure positioned over the Great Basin will begin to give way to a passing trough migrating through WRN Canada over the next couple of days. Satellite and radar imagery was showing an area of enhanced convection shifting ENE through the CNTRL mountains toward SW Montana coincident with a sub-tropical disturbance which was rotating over the top of the aforementioned ridge. A second such disturbance was noted lifting north through SRN Nevada which the models rotate into SE Idaho by early evening with attending thunderstorm activity. Do not believe we are going to get to crazy with the convection in the CNTRL mountains in the wake of the exiting system and under some subsidence even though the atmosphere does appear to be destabilizing per satellite LI's. I am a bit more concerned about the SRN mountains where they fall under the leading edge of the incoming disturbance later this evening. Thus higher chances of thunderstorms in that region this evening. With dry lower levels all areas we have the potential to produce strong gusty outflow winds with the thunderstorms. As for Monday, the Canadian trough begins migrating east through BC while an accompanying surface front shifts east through the area between noon and 3pm. Believe the front will be the focus for some decent thunderstorm development primarily over the SE highlands and to a lesser extent within the Snake River Plain and CNTRL mountains. Strong gusty winds will accompany the front through the region Monday and thus a Red Flag warning has been issued (more on that below). A fairly flat, dry and stable west flow is anticipated across the region Tuesday as that Canadian trough works further east. Starting Wednesday and continuing into next weekend, the monsoon ridge rebounds across the region bringing a return to unseasonably warm temperatures and occasional afternoon thunderstorms favoring the mountains. Huston && .AVIATION...Fetch of monsoon moisture will come to an end this evening as a shortwave trough approaches from the west. Isolated thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening once again, similar to the past few days. Models are about 1 to 2 hours later in developing convection compared to yesterday, so I did back off on the timing. Still not enough confidence on where convection will initiate, so keeping with VCTS for now. Otherwise VFR conditions should persist. Hinsberger && .FIRE WEATHER...Focus will be on potential for critical fire conditions for zones 410 and 425, where fuels are ready. With the flow of monsoon moisture coming to an end for now, the approach of a dry cold front from the west will bring concerns for strong wind gusts and low humidity. Model trends are towards lower RH and higher wind gusts, and lower min RH tomorrow afternoon. Today's concern will be the potential for thunderstorms developing over fire zone 427. Coverage of these storms may become widely scattered this evening. These storms may produce strong outflows and may develop near the Trapper Creek wildfire. Hinsberger && .HYDROLOGY...Warm temperatures will continue across the region today before cooling some early in the week behind a passing cold front. As a result, many of the river levels are expected remain steady or fall during the period. Significant backcountry flood issues continue to impact roads, bridges, and trails in the Sawtooth National Forest above 7500 feet MSL where district rangers have requested that the Small Stream Areal Flood Warning continue. Further south, along the Big Wood River, levels remain well below the established flood stage, however significant changes in the river channel have left several homes along War Eagle Drive west of Hailey and along Gimlet Road 4 miles south of Ketchum experiencing ongoing flood issues. Emergency management officials were in agreement with expiring the flood advisory. Huston/Wyatt && .PIH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low humidity for IDZ410 and 425 Monday afternoon and evening. &&
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
151 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017
IDZ019-092045-
Upper Snake Highlands ID-
151 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017
...STRONG THUNDERSTORM WEST-SOUTHWEST OF SPENCER MOVING IN THAT
GENERAL DIRECTION THROUGH 250 PM MDT...
At 147 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 23
miles west of Dubois, moving northeast at 25 mph.
Half inch hail, brief heavy rain and wind gusts to 45 mph are
possible with this storm as it advances toward Spencer and
Interstate 15 by 250 PM MDT.
Locations impacted include...
Spencer, Edie School, Humphrey and Monida Pass.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.
&&
LAT...LON 4456 11223 4454 11222 4453 11219 4454 11215
4429 11199 4414 11280 4423 11286 4423 11281
4431 11281 4447 11246 4446 11243 4445 11239
4449 11236 4452 11236 4457 11225
TIME...MOT...LOC 1947Z 244DEG 22KT 4425 11268
HustonSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Pocatello ID 156 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 IDZ022-092100- South Central Highlands ID- 156 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM NEAR SWEETZER SUMMIT ON INTERSTATE 84 MOVING SLOWLY NORTHEAST THROUGH 300 PM MDT... At 153 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11 miles north of Juniper, moving east at 10 mph. Half inch hail, brief heavy rain and wind gusts to 45 mph are possible with this storm as it moves into rural western Oneida county. Locations impacted include... Juniper and Sweetzer Summit. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. && LAT...LON 4213 11306 4219 11310 4237 11280 4212 11267 TIME...MOT...LOC 1953Z 249DEG 6KT 4218 11300 Huston
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pocatello ID 333 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 IDZ023-092215- Caribou Highlands ID- 333 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL BONNEVILLE COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM MDT... At 332 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles southwest of Irwin or 12 miles south of Swan Valley, moving east at 15 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Palisades Reservoir. LAT...LON 4317 11144 4334 11144 4336 11105 4311 11105 TIME...MOT...LOC 2132Z 276DEG 15KT 4327 11136 Hedges
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Pocatello ID 341 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 IDZ019-092215- Upper Snake Highlands ID- 341 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 ...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR EAST CENTRAL FREMONT COUNTY UNTIL 415 PM MDT... At 340 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10 miles southeast of Last Chance or 15 miles northeast of Marysville, moving east at 30 mph. Dime size hail and winds in excess of 45 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Mesa Falls State Park. LAT...LON 4415 11132 4432 11137 4438 11109 4417 11109 TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 259DEG 24KT 4425 11125 Hedges
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Pocatello ID
402 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017
IDZ022-024-092230-
Cache Valley/Idaho Portion ID-South Central Highlands ID-
402 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017
...STRONG WINDS LARGE HAIL AND FREQUENT LIGHTNING FOR MALAD CITY AND
INTERSTATE 15 UNTIL 430 PM MDT...
At 359 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Cherry Creek Rest Area or near Malad, moving east at 15 mph.
In addition, Dime sized hail will be possible.
Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm.
These winds will cause strong westerly crosswinds on I-15. Reduce
driving speeds.
Locations impacted include...
Preston, Malad, Cherry Creek Rest Area, Pleasantview, Dayton, Weston,
Clifton and Samaria.
LAT...LON 4201 11234 4218 11236 4225 11188 4200 11185
4200 11212
TIME...MOT...LOC 2159Z 260DEG 8KT 4211 11227
AD/HEDGESSpecial Weather Statement National Weather Service Pocatello ID 413 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 IDZ022-092300- South Central Highlands ID- 413 PM MDT SUN JUL 9 2017 ...STRONG THUNDERSTORM FOR OAKLEY RESERVOIR AND OAKLEY VALLEY UNTIL 500 PM MDT... At 412 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Oakley or near Oakley Reservoir, moving northeast at 20 mph. Dime size hail and wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph will be possible with this storm. Locations impacted include... Oakley Reservoir and Oakley. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle. If on or near Oakley Reservoir, get out of the water and move indoors or inside a vehicle. Remember, lightning can strike out to 10 miles from the parent thunderstorm. If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning. Move to safe shelter now! Do not be caught on the water in a thunderstorm. && LAT...LON 4206 11405 4224 11409 4231 11387 4204 11381 TIME...MOT...LOC 2212Z 227DEG 41KT 4221 11391 AD/HEDGES
1 wildfire. Local standard time, as filed.
Although the fire started in Gooding County the effects were felt to the north and close highways 93 and 24 to Shoshone and east of Shoshone and the fire jumped Route 26 many times. It was a grass and brush fire started by lightning on July 9th about 5 miles south of Shoshone and grew to around 30,000 acres. It was contained on July 13th.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Idaho in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Idaho, July 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 716807.