Idaho City, ID 83631
Ph: (208) 392-6636
FAX: (208) 392-4473
Pager: 1800-802-0747
| BOISE County Coordinator |
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P.O. Box BC Idaho City, ID 83631 Ph: (208) 392-6636 FAX: (208) 392-4473 Pager: 1800-802-0747 |
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| Demographics | Demographics
Boise County has four incorporated communities, Crouch (pop. 154), Horseshoe Bend (770), Idaho City (136), and Placerville (60). The total population for the county in 2000 was 6,670. That is an increase of 90% since 1990.
Land Area: 1,908 square miles. Established February 4, 1864 with its county seat at Idaho City. Named for the Boise River, which was named by French-Canadian explorers and trappers for the great variety of trees growing along its banks. The Boise Basin, in which Idaho City lies, was one of the richest gold mining districts in the nation after the discovery of gold in 1862. At its peak in the 1860s and 1870s, Idaho City was, for a time, the largest city in the northwest, it was this great influx of people that lead to the establishment of the Idaho Territory. County Seat: Idaho City
Wildland Fire - 8-9/2000 Event Summary: $1,000,000,000.00 - Over 1,541 fires burned in Idaho in 2000, scorching over 7 million acres. A federal disaster declaration was declared on September 1, 2000. Several times DEQ issued air quality advisories due to intense smoke; air cleaners and fans were sent to Salmon on August 21, 2000. Over 3 million acres of public and state lands were closed, including more than 2,000 miles of trails, 80 miles of river, and nearly all public airstrips. The Salmon River was closed for 26 days, affecting 4,000 outfitter floaters, 2300 private floaters, and 140 commercial jet boaters, resulting in lost income and employment for local communities. 13 fires caused evacuations of 14-16 locations, 109 structures were destroyed. Critical wildlife habitat was destroyed. County Summary: Wildland Fire - Toll Road Fire; Loosum Creek Fire - August 17, 1998 Event Summary: The Toll Road Fire on Hwy 21 and the Loosum Creek Fire near Yellow Pine closed roads and threatened homes. County Summary: The Toll Road Fire burned several hundred acres near Lucky Peak Reservoir and closed Hwy 21. The Idaho Statesman 8/17/98 Severe Storm - January 15, 1998 Event Summary: Severe winter storm in Boise Basin toppled trees and cut power. County Summary: A severe winter storm with heavy snow broke tree branches and toppled trees onto power lines in the Boise Basin area. Power was cut to about 1,500 residents of Idaho City, Placerville, Centerville and New Centerville residents for over 11 hours. Bogus Basin Ski Area was closed, as was Idaho 21 from Idaho City to Lowman, and local TV and radio stations were knocked The Idaho Statesman 1/16/98 Landslide - December 31, 1997 Event Summary: Mudslides and flooding along the Payette and Weiser River drainages. County Summary: Mudslides and flooding cut power and closed the Banks-Lowman road. Avalanches caused the closure of Hwy 21. Flood - New Year's Day Storm - January 1-5, 1997 Event Summary: $65,000,000.00 New Year's day floods in the Weiser, Payette and Salmon River drainages of southwestern Idaho caused record flooding and numerous mudslides. Warm temperatures combined with a rainfall 4-6 times the normal amount; the resulting snowmelt triggered devastating floods, mudslides and avalanches, extensively damaging communities and infrastructure throughout Idaho . The community of South Banks was condemned because of extensive slide damage. Over 400 miles of roads and several railroad lines were blocked or destroyed, stranding over 10,000 holiday travelers in western Idaho . Residents of McCall, Cascade, Banks, Lowman and Garden Valley were isolated. Rivers were "running like chocolate," carrying huge trees, mud and boulders; the Snake River at Hells Canyon Dam crested at 101,728 cfs January 1, nearly 30,000 cfs over its previous record level on 2/23/82 . The crash of a plane carrying 5 people from Boise to McCall, killing all, was a result of the weather. Governor Batt declared 13 counties a disaster: Gem, Adams, Washington, Idaho, Clearwater, Valley, Payette, Elmore, Latah, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone and Boise . A Federal disaster was declared on January 4, 1997. County Summary: The Banks-Lowman road was closed because of numerous slides, the largest slide leaving over 100,000 cubic yards of mud, rocks and trees on the road. Hwy 21 from Lowman to Stanley was closed due to avalanches, and a 300' section 4 miles south of Lowman collapsed, leaving a gap 100' deep. Hwy 55 was closed in numerous areas because of flood and slide damage. Power and telephone service was cut to 2,000-2,500 customers in the Banks-Garden Valley-Lowman area and to 30 people in Placerville . The community of Banks was condemned by the federal gov't after mudslides carrying large boulders and trees destroyed homes and businesses. In the Lowman area, approx. 11" of rain fell on 14" of existing snow between 12/20/96 and 1/4/97 (188% of average). This area had burned extensively in a 1989 wildfire. The wet, heavy snow on these areas triggered numerous landslides that blocked major roadways, destroyed homes and businesses, and deposited mud and debris into the Payette River . Residents were evacuated by National Guard helicopter. In Garden Valley , generators were flown in by the National Guard after Hwy 17 was washed out by the Payette River ; schools were closed. $5,605,693.00 Shaub, Suzanne; The Idaho Statesman January 1, 2, 3, 1997, 3/20/97 Flood - August 22, 1995 Event Summary: A flash flood destroyed a logging camp and altered the flow of the North Fork of the Boise River . County Summary: A thunderstorm dumped 3" of rain onto the land burned in 1994 by the Rabbit Gulch Fire, sending mud and rock flows into creeks feeding into the North Fork of the Boise River and shifting it 100 yards to the west. It also washed away a logging camp, whose occupants escaped injury due to advance notice, and created a new dam that flooded FR 327. Officials estimated 150,000 cubic yards of rock, water and mud came down the mountain in less than an hour. At least six travel trailers in the camp were damaged or destroyed and a water truck was swept away. The rainbow trout fishery in the area was The Idaho Statesman 8/2495 and 8/25/95 . Wildland Fire - September 1994 Event Summary: One killed, one home destroyed in summer wildfires that burned a total of over 750,000 acres, resulting in state-wide disaster declarations 7/30/94 and 8/26/94. More than 5,000 firefighters battled the fires. County Summary: Rabbit Creek Fire NE of Idaho City burned over 125,000 acres, forced evacuation of over 50 people from Grandjean and The Idaho Statesman 9/94 Wildland Fire - Middle Fork Fires - July 1994 Event Summary: A series of wildfires between the Middle and South Forks of the Boise River burned approx. 4000 acres. County Summary: A series of wildfires between the Middle and South Forks of the Boise River burned approx. 4000 acres; a US Army Battalion with 500 men was called in to assist. The Idaho Statesman 7/31/94 Wind - August 7, 1993 Event Summary: Windstorms in Western Idaho, with sustained gusts up to 50 mph, caused property damage. County Summary: A windstorm with gusts up to 50 mph knocked down trees in the county. The Idaho Statesman 8/8/93 Wildland Fire - Cottonwood Creek Fire - July 17, 1992 Event Summary: $1,313,105.00 - Started by sparks from a tire blowout, the Cottonwood Creek Fire cost over $1 million and burned 6,258 acres. County Summary: A Pennsylvania couple started the Cottonwood Creek Fire when the car they were towing behind their motor home blew a tire along Hwy 55 near Gardena . Despite witnesses who tried to flag them down, the couple drove for eight miles as sparks from the wheel ignited several fires along the road. The fire eventually burned 6,258 acres. The costs of the fire were billed to $0.00 Harpers August 1993; The Idaho Statesman 5/3/93 Wildland Fire - Lowman Fire; Warm Lake Fire - July 16, 1989 Event Summary: Thousands of acres in Southcentral Idaho burned in lightning-caused forest fires. County Summary: The Lowman Fire partially destroyed the town of Lowman and closed Hwy 21 between Idaho City and Lowman due to burning trees which burned the asphalt out of the pavement. Lowman was evacuated, over 25 structures in the town were burned. The fire took 28 days to control and burned over 46,500 acres. Firefighting costs were approx. $430,000. $10,300,000.00 The Idaho Statesman August 1, 5, 6, 23, 1989 Wildland Fire - 8/1986 Event Summary: Wildfires throughout the state resulted in a state-wide disaster declaration on 8/12/86. Most of the fires were results of a lightning storm 8/10/86 County Summary: The Anderson Creek blaze, one in a complex of about 20 fires, destroyed nearly $4.3 million in resources and cost $3.7 million to fight. $9,000,000.00 Lewiston Tribune 27 Aug 86 Landslide - March 4, 1986 Event Summary: Following snowmelt and flooding in February, further landslides hit Idaho County Summary: Robie Creek Road was closed for 4 days because of mud and debris slides, isolating 90 families. The Banks-Garden ValleyRoad was closed off and on. A state disaster was declared 3/4/86 Flood - February 1986 Event Summary: A warming trend melted low-elevation snowpacks, triggering flooding and mudslides throughout western Idaho. Over $20,000 was spent on flood control efforts. County Summary: All county roads closed temporarily b/c of mud slides; over 20 homes evacuated, over 100 stranded b/c of washed out roads. Mudslides closed the Crouch-Garden Valley road, Grimes Creek Road, Harris Creek Road, Robie Creek Road, Lowman to Garden Valley and Hwy 21 between Lowman and Idaho City , and Hwy 55 between Banks and Round Valley . State of emergency declared in Boise County; state disaster declaration 2/24/86 . Pestilence - 1985 Event Summary: Grasshopper infestation led to pesticide spraying on over 6 million acres of range; Ada, Elmore, Owyhee and Minidoka counties declared a disaster by USDA, state disaster declaration 6/18/85 County Summary: Grasshopper infestation The Idaho Statesman 3/1/86 Flood - February 1982 Event Summary: Flooding in western Idaho from ice jams and swollen rivers and creeks. County Summary: Mud, rock and snow slides closed roads in Boise County , including Hwy 21 from Lowman to Idaho City and to Garden Valley. Harris Creek Road near Horseshoe Bend was closed when ice jams on Harris Creek backed up water and flooded the road. The Idaho Statesman, 2/17/82 Flood - January 17, 1971 Event Summary: Heavy rain and snow over four days caused flooding in southwest Idaho County Summary: Power outages were caused in Centerville, Pioneerville and Lowman when snow-covered tree limbs broke and hit power The Idaho Statesman 1/18/71 Flood - December 21-23, 1964 Event Summary: $21,000,000.00 - During the end of December 1964, warm weather combined with heavy rains and melting snow, causing flooding along the Payette, Big Wood, Little Wood, Portneuf, Clearwater and Boise River drainages. Hwy 21 and 15, US 95N and 30E were closed. Over 100 homes were damaged, numerous bridges were washed out, and thousands of acres of farmlands were flooded. 2 deaths were attributed to the flood. A state of emergency was declared. County Summary: Bridges on Mores Creek and Thorn Creek washed out, telephone service cut. The Idaho Statesman 12/24/64 Flood - January 22, 1969 Event Summary: Heavy rain and snow over five days caused creeks and rivers to rise rapidly, leading to flooding in the Boise watershed and throughout the state. County Summary: The rain caused snowslides along Hwy 21, closing the highway between Idaho City and Lowman. The Idaho Statesman 1/22/69 Wildland Fire - Thorn Creek Fire; Hells Canyon Fire - July 15, 1960 Event Summary: Wildfires in Boise County and Adams County County Summary: Thorn Creek Fire burned 6,880 acres, destroyed four houses and a blacksmith's shop, burned power and telephone lines, cutting off Idaho City; two people evacuated by helicopter. Idaho World 8/19/81 Earthquake - February 13, 1945 Event Summary: Earthquake near Clayton, felt over a 60,000 square mile area. Magnitude 6, Intensity VI. County Summary: A magnitude 6 earthquake, centered near Clayton, broke dishes at Idaho City Seismicity of the United States Flood - April-June 1943 Event Summary: $1,000,000.00 - Snowmelt combined with rain led to flooding along the Boise and Payette River basins ranging from Boise, Eagle, Emmett, down to Notus. Throughout the area, over 200 families were evacuated, 11 highway bridges across the Boise River were closed for five days or more. Hwy 21 was closed for over a week because of washouts from flooding creeks, isolating Idaho City and Boise Basin communities. Of the damage, over $649,000 was agricultural: over 10,000 acres were flooded. This flood provided the final impetus to build Lucky Peak Dam. County Summary: Hwy 21 was washed out in several places from flooding creeks, isolating Idaho City and other Boise Basin towns for over a week. Food supplies ran low, electricity and telephone service was out for several days. The Idaho Statesman 4/20/43 Wildland Fire - Elk Creek Fire - August 17, 1934 Event Summary: Elk Creek Fire burned over 16,500 acres County Summary: The Elk Creek Fire, believed to have started by a campfire in a logging camp, scorched over 16,500 acres. It burned up numerous producing mines, mills and houses. Telephone lines were burned, and roads were closed. The fire ranged from Elk Creek to Edna Creek , crossed the highway five miles above Idaho City, and burned toward Atlanta Idaho World 8/19/81 Wildland Fire - Quartzburg Fire - August 20, 1931 Event Summary: $500,000.00 - Wildfire in Boise Basin destroyed mining town, several mines, and killed two people. County Summary: Quartzburg Fire, caused by lightning, located in Boise Basin near Placerville and Grimes Creek. The fire destroyed the mining town of Quartzburg and numerous producing mines; 2 firefighters killed when overtaken by the firestorm; over 300 left The Idaho Statesman 8/26/31, 8/27/31, 8/31/31, and 10/2/31 Wildland Fire - Daggett Creek Fire - August 1926 Event Summary: $50,000.00 - Wildfire burned 2400 acres County Summary: Daggett Creek Fire, started by a campfire, burned 2400 acres and numerous head of livestock. Earthquake - May 25, 1916 Event Summary: Earthquake centered at Idaho City , felt over 10,000 square miles, including at Boise and Payette. Intensity V. County Summary: Intensity V earthquake, minor damage to buildings. Harpham, Lynda Koll Severe Weather - January-February 1916 Event Summary: Severe winter storm in western Idaho resulting in 1 reported death, travel cut off. County Summary: Severe winter storm: Idaho City isolated for a week by 6' of snow; several buildings collapsed after February 3 storm left 10" of snow. The Idaho Statesman Severe Weather - The Big Shiver of '88 - January 13, 1888 Event Summary: Severe winter storm, December 1887-January 1888. Hundreds of head of livestock froze; people froze to death; blocks of ice floated in rivers. Subsequent flooding along river bottoms followed the thaw. County Summary: Idaho City, Placerville, Centerville believed to have been -50F. Idaho World, January 13, 1982 Avalanche - January-March 1865 Event Summary: Series of avalanches in Idaho City and Boise Basin mining areas. County Summary: Series of avalanches in Idaho City and Boise Basin mining areas, destroyed several cabins and blocked travel The Idaho Statesman, 9/21/92 Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)
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Wildfire Mitigation Plan Maps - Land Ownership / Fire Protection Responsibility / Wildfire History
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