Drew Dodson here with this week’s edition of the Valley Lookout newsletter. I’m running low on submissions for Mountain Pet of the Week, so please keep ’em coming! So far, all submissions have been of the canine variety, with the exception of my cats, who have the distinction of being the only two-time MPOTW winner—the judge may be biased.

But the point is that lots of different pets are eligible for the prestigious honor of MPOTW, and the endless bragging rights that come along with it. Dogs and cats are the most common, but don’t be afraid to submit your chickens, birds, horses, fish, and whatever other pets are part of your family.

First up

Fire managers declare containment on Rock Fire

A wildfire that ignited near Tamarack Resort in August was officially contained on Tuesday in the Boise National Forest.

Fire managers declared 100% containment on the Rock Fire at 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning following heavy overnight rains that dumped about a quarter-inch of water on the 2,796-acre fire zone.

The decision, which comes three weeks after containment of the lightning-caused wildfire moved above 90% on Sept. 9, is a reflection of fire managers’ confidence that the wildfire will not escape containment lines, according to Mike Williamson, a spokesperson for the Boise National Forest.

However, the fire could still smolder in places throughout the fall and may not be completely extinguished until snow covers the fire zone.

Williamson said containment hovered just below 100% for most of September because firefighters continued to find “heat sources” near containment lines crews built around the 33-mile perimeter of the Rock Fire after it started on Aug. 12.

The wildfire grew to 1,900 acres within 24 hours of ignition, but saw minimal growth as firefighters established containment lines around the Rock Fire’s 33-mile perimeter, including a line built along the ski resort’s Upper Bliss ski run in the first days after ignition. No structures were destroyed.

At its peak, nearly 900 firefighters from all over the country were assigned to the Rock Fire. Those numbers tapered down to fewer than 100 firefighters in recent weeks.

All evacuation designations for areas near the Rock Fire were lifted by Valley County on Sept. 8. Two zones along West Mountain Road had been at the “Ready” stage of the county’s evacuation protocol, while a zone containing the Tamarack Village was moved to the “Set” stage, which advises occupants to be ready to evacuate “at a moment’s notice,” for eight days during the fire.

(Photo: Courtesy Caitlyn Uhlenbrauck/Payette National Forest)

Lake Cascade health advisory

Toxic cyanobacteria blooms on Lake Cascade intensified over the last week, according to a local water quality monitoring group.

The Friends of Lake Cascade reported a “significant increase in cyanobacteria mass cell growth” from Sept. 21-28. Cyanobacteria, also known as blue green algae, is harmful to humans and animals.

“Several areas now exhibit very high cell densities, accompanied by visible surface accumulations— including floating patches, mats, and clustered formations — particularly concentrated in the southern half of the lake,” the volunteer group posted Monday on social media.

On Aug. 15, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare issued a public health advisory for the lake in areas around the Van Wyck Boat Ramp in Cascade. That advisory remains in place, but no additional advisories have been issued for the lake so far.

Cyanobacteria blooms may smell foul and look like blueish-green mats, foam, spilled paint, or surface scum, according to DHW. 

Any people or pets who touch water contaminated by a bloom should thoroughly wash off and seek further medical care as needed. 

Symptoms of exposure to cyanotoxin include skin irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, red eyes, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, and muscle weakness. 

Cyanobacteria blooms thrive in sunlight and warmer water with an abundance of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen. Lake Cascade is listed as “impaired” under the Clean Water Act, primarily due to high phosphorus concentrations. 

The blooms can sicken pets and even kill them. A dog died in Gem County in 2022 after drinking water contaminated by cyanotoxins in the Payette River. In 1993, 23 cattle died after drinking cyanotoxins in water from Lake Cascade. 

(Photo: Courtesy Friends of Lake Cascade)

Civic Lookout

• McCall Area Planning and Zoning Commission: Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 4:30 p.m. Agenda to be posted here.
• Valley County Commissioners: Next Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m. Agenda to be posted here.

Valley Lookout Original Reporting

‘They’re so proud’: Community skatepark opens in memory of slain New Meadows couple

A skatepark opened in New Meadows last weekend less than three years after the couple it is named after was shot and killed at the Heartland Hotel. Ready the full story on Valley Lookout.

Valley County’s public fiber network effort ‘dormant’ as key connection cuts barriers to high-speed internet

A 198-mile fiber project through Valley County and Meadows Valley is underway as local efforts to harness the high-speed internet access have stalled. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

McCall likes downtown subdivision, but seeks bigger local housing commitment

Plans for a 42-home subdivision along First Street have been approved, but a deal offered to the developer by the McCall City Council could result in more of the homes occupying local residents. Read the full story on Valley Lookout.

Mountain Happenings

McCall

• Farmers Market: Today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Second Street in downtown McCall. *Ends Saturday*
• Dig Day: Central Idaho Mountain Bike Association to host volunteer trail work day on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. starting at Brundage Mountain Resort and ending in Bear Basin. More information available here.
• Oktoberfest: MCPAWS to host Oktoberfest fundraiser from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Brundage Mountain Resort. More information available here.
• Jewelry show: Adel Chefridi designer showcase set for Saturday at McCall Jewelry Company.

Donnelly

• Bonus Market: Farmers Market to return today from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Donnelly City Park.
• Time Travelers Day Camp: Children’s day camp for ages 5-12 offered Saturday at Tamarack Resort from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information available here.

Cascade

• Fighting for Change fundraiser: Rise Up 2 Thrive to host domestic violence prevention fundraiser on Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Cascade Lakefront Restaurant & Lounge. Tickets cost $35 and are available here.
• Wine tasting: Cascade Mercantile to host Maison Noir wine tasting Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Idaho High Mountain Triathlon: Saturday from Warm Lake to Yellow Pine via Johnson Creek Road starting Saturday at 10 a.m.
• Live music: Andy Crosby to performer at The Local at Clear Creek on Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

New Meadows

• Potluck & Bingo: Next Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the New Meadows Community Center starting at 5 p.m.
• Bogeys and Boos: MeadowCreek Golf Resort to host two-person team shotgun start golf and poker tournament on Oct. 25 to benefit Meadows Valley School District Parent Teacher Organization. More information available here.

Mountain Pet of the Week

Meet Rosie, an awesome family Border Collie who splits her time between Round Valley and Boise. Cable Rhodes, Rosie’s owner, says she’s on the small side, but makes up for it in personality. She loves her family, gives lots of hugs when they get home, and isn’t afraid to talk when she wants love or dinner.

Click here to nominate your pet for Mountain Pet of the Week for a chance to be featured on a weekly newsletter!