(NECN/NBC News: Jay Gray) - It is a massive wildfire, fueled by strong winds and dry vegetation, as it continues to grow in size. More than 2,300 homes are under mandatory evacuation orders.
In addition, pre-evacuation orders are in effect for the resort towns of Ketchum and Sun Valley, putting people on notice they could be asked to flee if told.
Monte Orchard fought fires as a young man, but he says this fire is something else.
"Seeing this fire, I've never seen anything like it,” said Orchard. “The height of the flames.”
Fire-weary Idaho residents understand that living in this beautiful, rugged terrain can come with a price.
"It's devastating, but it's a natural part of nature,” said business owner Terry Rangin. “It's how the forest regenerates itself."
More than 1,200 firefighters are now assigned to fight the blaze.
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"We need an army up there, and we've got it,” said resident Reece Jolley. “We've got hundreds of firefighters at Peragran Ranch and I know they are doing all that they can."
All they can may not be enough, at least not yet. The fire is only nine percent contained.
