A fast-moving wildfire burning on the hillsides between Elizabeth Park and Big Creek in Shoshone County has grown to approximately 235 acres, with firefighting crews reporting just 10 percent containment as of Wednesday morning. The blaze, which authorities believe was triggered by a blown transformer, has forced hundreds of Silver Valley residents from their homes and prompted officials to extend evacuation orders for at least another 24 hours.
The Gold Run Fire ignited Tuesday afternoon around 3 p.m. and spread rapidly across steep terrain before crews could establish a defensive perimeter. By Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., roughly 90 personnel from multiple agencies were working the fire lines, yet containment remained critically low as dry conditions and the threat of shifting winds complicated suppression efforts.
Structures Threatened, Three Already Lost
Three nonresidential structures have been destroyed — a loss believed to be concentrated at the Shoshone Golf Course, where the clubhouse also suffered light cosmetic damage. With 120 structures still under threat, the potential for additional losses remains a serious concern for incident commanders.
No injuries or fatalities have been reported as of the latest update, a fact officials credited in part to swift evacuation action. Hundreds of residents from the Big Creek and Elizabeth Park areas were ordered to leave their homes, and those orders remained in effect Wednesday with an extension of at least 24 additional hours.
Shoshone County Sheriff Shawn Wehr explained the reasoning behind keeping residents out of the area. “Everyone is doing a great job, but there is some concern that the wind could pick up one of those embers and drop it on a different hillside or even somebody’s roof, which is why we’re keeping that evacuation order for another 24 hours,” he said.
Residents in Osburn west of Johnson Street on both sides of Interstate 90 were placed in a “Ready” evacuation stage, meaning they should be prepared to leave on short notice. The Terror Gulch and Polaris areas were also included in that precautionary notice.
Shelter Locations and Command Transition
Two evacuation shelters were established to assist displaced residents: one at Real Life Ministries in Pinehurst and another at US Metro Towing in Smelterville. Officials encouraged anyone who has left the evacuation zone and needs assistance to use those locations.
Undersheriff Travis Skinner emphasized that the steps being taken are driven by safety concerns for both residents and the firefighters working the blaze. “These measures are being taken for the safety of residents and emergency responders,” he said.
The fire is currently under the command of IDL Fire Warden Kerry Zufelt, but a transition is already in the works. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is scheduled to assume command Thursday morning, signaling that the response is expanding in scope and organizational complexity as the fire continues to grow.
Power was shut off in the area during the early stages of firefighting efforts. The cause of the fire — believed to be a blown transformer — is still officially under investigation.
This is a developing story. Earlier coverage tracked the destruction of golf course outbuildings and the fire’s initial growth to 235 acres, and prior reporting documented the fire’s early spread across 50 acres near Pinehurst when evacuations first began.
What Comes Next
With the Type 3 Incident Management Team taking over Thursday, residents can expect more structured updates and a broader operational response. The critical variables in the days ahead will be weather — particularly wind speed and direction — and whether crews can push containment significantly higher before conditions deteriorate. Evacuation orders will be reassessed on a rolling basis. Residents in the “Ready” zones should monitor official announcements from the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and be prepared to leave quickly if the order level is elevated. Anyone with questions about evacuation shelter services is encouraged to contact local emergency management or visit one of the established shelter sites in Pinehurst or Smelterville.