A fast-moving wildfire broke out Tuesday afternoon north of Lewiston along U.S. Highway 95, growing to an estimated 90 acres by early evening with no containment achieved, according to fire officials.
The Mile Marker 315 Fire was first reported around 2:30 p.m. on June 16 and had reached the 90-acre estimate by 7:15 p.m. Pacific Time. The blaze is burning in a steep canyon loaded with grass, brush, and timber — terrain that can make both firefighting access and fire behavior unpredictable.
Between 10 and 20 structures were listed as threatened as of Tuesday evening. Despite the proximity to those buildings, no homes or other structures had been destroyed, and no evacuations had been ordered. Highway 95 also remained open, with no road closures in effect as of the same report.
Firefighters face challenging conditions in the rugged canyon geography north of Lewiston, where steep slopes can accelerate fire spread and complicate ground crew operations. The zero-percent containment figure underscored the early and active nature of the response.
Nez Perce County residents near the U.S. 95 corridor are encouraged to monitor conditions closely and follow guidance from local emergency managers. Anyone who spots smoke or fire activity in the area should contact 911 immediately.
Wildfires have been an active concern across the region this season. A separate fire scorched 4.5 acres near a Spokane sports complex before crews achieved containment, highlighting the broader fire risk across the Inland Northwest as summer temperatures climb.
What Comes Next
Fire crews were actively working the Mile Marker 315 Fire as of Tuesday evening, with containment efforts ongoing. Officials had not released a cause or issued additional evacuation warnings at the time of reporting. Conditions are subject to change rapidly, and updated information is expected as crews gain better access to the fire perimeter. Residents in the area should stay tuned to local emergency management channels for any changes to evacuation status or road closures along Highway 95.