August 15, 2024

To:                  Citizens and contractors of Yellow Pine, Wark Lake, and Big Creek area

From:              Sheriff Kevin Copperi

Regarding:      Escorted Access on Warm Lake Road

Citizens of Warm Lake, Yellow Pine, Big Creek area and contractors to those areas,

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Fire Incident Command Post, have established once-a-day, one-way escorts through the fire affected areas. This escort will be provided for reasons of necessity and not for recreation purposes. The escort service will begin on Friday, August 16, 2024.

Two escort staging locations have been established. From the west, a 7am escort will depart from the Warm Lake Highway / Joshua Drive intersection (44.52770, -115,98405). Meet in the large eastbound turnout. From the east, a 9am escort will depart from the Warm Lake Highway / FS Road 474 intersection (44.65824, -115.70104). Meet in the large eastbound turnout. 

Escorts will only be provided to those who pre-arrange access. To request an escort, please visit the Valley County Sheriff’s Office web page www.co.valley.id.us/departments/SheriffsOffice and click the link for Warm Lake Road Fire Escort Request. You will be required to provide your name, driver’s license number and upload verification of residency and/or proof for need to be escorted through. Proof accepted for residency could be a property tax receipt or assessment, mail, and/or power bill. Contractors will need to show the necessity of the escort and provide the location to which you are traveling to.

An approved list will be provided to the security checkpoints daily. Please plan to arrive earlier than the posted departure times to ensure you are checked in. Those not on that list will not be escorted into the fire impact area. 

We appreciate your patience during this challenging situation. With the Warm Lake Highway closed on Monday, August 12, 2024, due to the encroaching Snag Fire, and power being turned off as of Tuesday, August 13, 2024, we want to ensure the safety of residents, contractors, and fire personnel. 

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office would ask that you sign up for Code Red notifications and follow our Facebook page. The instructions to sign up for Code Red can be found on the Valley County Sherrif’s Office Web page.

Code Red will be used to update and notify those affected with any changes to the escort protocol including any changes to departure times from the west or east staging locations.

Respectfully,

Kevin Copperi, Valley County Sheriff