GRANGEVILLE, Idaho -- A voluntary evacuation is in effect for the small mountain community of Dixie due to the McGuire Complex Fire.
The U.S. Forest Service issued the evacuation request on Monday. The State 3 request is one step below a mandatory evacuation. The Lewiston Tribune reports that some residents heeded the request, while others are staying.
Fire information officer Ted Pettis described Dixie as a "historic mining town" about 70 miles southeast of Grangeville. "Probably 150 or so different families have places here," Pettis said, adding that the fire is currently burning about 2.5 miles northwest of the rural community.
A U.S. Forest Service Airport provides mail to Dixie. The community is otherwise accessed via forest service roads and does not have any commercial services, but does have a volunteer fire dept.
72-year-old Walta McCarley has helped to run a community "calling tree," and says she's been trying to keep about 40 other residents updated on the fire's progress.
McCarley said she and her husband would be leaving their seasonal cabin on Tuesday due to the threat of fire. The couple resides in Redmond, Wash. during the Winter.
"The wind is going to come southeasterly today, which means it may be coming down into Dixie proper," McCarley said.
Forest Service spokeswoman Katie Knotek says that 15 mph wind gusts were expected to shift Tuesday morning to the southeast and in a more direct line toward Dixie.
Fire crews are working on structure protection.
Lightning started the McGuire Fire Complex on Aug. 27. By Monday night, it had grown to more than 21 square miles.
Officials say a mandatory evacuation must be ordered through the governor's office.
