We managed a quick getaway with the trailer to Redfish Lake this past Sunday.

As we prepared to leave home, I noticed a low tire on the trailer, which turned out to be a ruined tire with a nail near the sidewall.

Thankfully, I noticed it before we got underway and got it replaced on a Sunday morning (no small feat in Boise!)

We arrived at Redfish Lake early Sunday afternoon and got set up in a beautiful campsite.

Life was good Monday afternoon as I enjoyed a good book and an ice-cold Corona while overlooking the lake.

Then, I smelled smoke in the air and looked up at a towering cloud of smoke in the nearby sky with two air tankers circling the smoke.

It was coming from a massive forest fire that was just over the hill behind our campsite.

Nearby campers were scurrying around and the campground host came by and said to prepare for evacuation.

Then, I realized that we were at the end of Redfish Lake Road, several miles from Highway 75, surrounded by thousands of campers in several campgrounds who would soon decide to leave.

There was no way I was going to await the evacuation order, so we hooked up and were one of the first to leave.

As we neared Highway 75, we drove by flames alongside Redfish Lake Road.

The evacuation order was issued 45 minutes after we left, and according to news reports, some campers had to leave their belongings behind.

The fire has apparently consumed 250-300 acres and is still burning, but our beloved Sockeye Campground Unit hasn’t burned.

News reports say that campers are being allowed back in to retrieve their belongings.

We’re back home safe and sound now with vivid memories of the past few days’ events.

Sockeye Campground

From Redfish Lake Road ~ As We Were Leaving

Smoke Plume ~ From 5 Miles Away