Bench Lake Fire - July 12, 2024

A wildfire was first detected around 12:26 PM yesterday between the 2nd and 3rd Bench Lakes. It is believed to have been caused by a campfire, as there was no lightning in the area.
In a dramatic turn of events, a helicopter involved in bucket operations to suppress the fire went down. Fortunately, secondhand reports indicate that the pilot safely swam to shore and hiked out.
Overnight satellite imagery shows the fire has spread over the ridge towards Redfish Lake, with Bench Hut directly in its path. Stay tuned for updates and stay safe.