Evacuation Status Raised for Rock Fire Near Tamarack Resort, ID

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 4:38 PM ET

The Rock Fire is still burning near Tamarack Resort, Idaho, and on Tuesday, August 19, the Valley County Sheriff’s Office elevated the evacuation warning status for residents in the surrounding area.

According to the Valley County Sheriff’s Office, weather conditions are becoming hotter and drier, which increases the risk of the wildfire spreading. That prompted the Sheriff’s Office to change the evacuation warning from “Ready” to “Set.”

A “Set” warning indicates that there is significant danger in the area, and residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. The Valley County Sheriff’s Office advised residents to stay tuned to their TV, local radio stations, or social media for updates.

Tamarack Resort, which lies adjacent to the Rock Fire, remains partially open.

The ski resort completely suspended operations last week because of the fire, but has since reopened some summer activities, including dining, the golf course, and lodging. The chairlifts are still closed, as are the Mid Mountain Lodge, ziplining, and the Marina.

According to a message posted on Tamarack Resort’s website, fire crews are actively working across the mountain. The ski resort asked guests to observe all fire-related closures.

In a separate social media post, Tamarack Resort wrote, “We are monitoring conditions closely and are fully prepared to adjust if evacuation orders shift.”

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Tamarack Resort Rock Fire Update, August 19, 2025

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A post shared by Tamarack Resort (@tamarackresort)

The Rock Fire began on Sunday, August 12, after a lightning strike. As of a Tuesday morning update published by the Forest Service, the fire had expanded to 2,695 acres.

Nearly 700 personnel have been assigned to the blaze, and southwest of Tamarack Resort, crews have constructed a dozer line. The line will be reinforced with retardant, bucket drops, and scoopers.

Fire crews are also using a machine called a masticator, which chews up brush, shrubs, and smaller trees to reduce the amount of forest vegetation that can burn.

While the Rock Fire is 0% contained, the Forest Service noted that this “doesn’t necessarily mean no progress has been made.”

“Once [a] containment line is constructed, it can take time for those lines to be tested to ensure that there is minimal to no chance of fire spreading beyond that line,” the agency added.

Tuesday is expected to be the hottest and driest day of the week, with temperatures cooling on Wednesday and Thursday. Stay tuned in here at POWDER for updates on the Rock Fire.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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