Sun Valley using snow machines against fire

BOISE — The legendary Sun Valley ski resort began running snowmaking equipment Sunday to protect against surging, wind-driven flames so high they couldn't be attacked by aircraft.

The famous resort town of Ketchum near Sun Valley, in central Idaho, took the unusual step of asking people to stay away as the fire prompted officials to tell people to evacuate from more than 1,000 homes.

Air tankers were grounded for the second straight day by winds up to 45 mph; the only hospital in the region ran with a reduced staff because it is in the evacuated area; and emergency responders had to deal with accidents caused by sightseers on key state Route 75.

The Sun Valley Resort began its snowmaking machines on Bald Mountain to protect the ski area from embers shot ahead of the advancing flames, which were within two miles.

"There's a lot of activity up here on this single highway in and out of this valley," said Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who cut short a trip to Oklahoma on Sunday to fly straight to the area. "We really need people to stay away from up here and let these folks work."

The lightning-caused Castle Rock Fire ballooned to 54 square miles, and was being fought by 1,400 firefighters and managers, including 11 helicopters, said Bob Beanblossom, fire information officer.

He said 100 engines were in the region protecting evacuated homes, some worth millions, with access being controlled by Idaho National Guard soldiers. About 100 homes received mandatory evacuation orders last week, and another 1,000 homes were ordered evacuated Saturday when the fire surged past predetermined points.

Beanblossom said no structures had been lost and there had been no serious injuries caused by the fire. Fire breaks built during three days of relative calm before winds picked up on Saturday were holding on the northern and northeast flank of the fire.

But the southeast flank was pushing into Greenhorn Gulch and the base of Bald Mountain, Beanblossom said.

"It's going closer to Baldy," said Jack Sibbach, director of sales and marketing for the resort, referring to the mountain with a name common among local residents. "So we're a little more anxious."

He said the snowmaking equipment was watering down areas to guard against embers and that federal fire crews had constructed three reservoirs, including one near the summit of the 9,150-foot mountain to protect ski lodges.