A rapidly spreading wildfire in southeast Idaho forced the emergency evacuation of a Latter-day Saint pioneer trek earlier this week, cutting short a multi-day spiritual journey designed to help youth connect with the faith and sacrifice of early Church pioneers.
The blaze, known as the Garden Creek Fire or Lincoln Creek Fire, ignited midday on July 1 near Sellars Creek Ranch. As flames grew to over 1,000 acres and crept within two miles of the ranch, hundreds of teens and adult leaders from the Draper, Utah area were suddenly instructed to drop their handcarts and evacuate.
The group of 250, part of the Eastridge Stake of Draper, Utah, had arrived at Sellars Creek Ranch on Monday for a four-day reenactment of 19th-century pioneer travel. But by Tuesday afternoon, the Lincoln Creek Fire had ignited nearby, prompting concern from local authorities.
“We’ve been planning this camp for almost a year,” said Lori Newbold, stake Young Women president, in an interview with the Post Register. “I know that God knew it would happen, but we didn’t. God is good. He takes care of us.”
Stake President Roger Cook said the decision to evacuate came after sheriff’s offices in Bingham and Bonneville counties urged the group to leave for safety. But without buses on site, leaders had to coordinate with local sheriff’s departments to find rapid transportation.
The camp’s original transportation provider was unavailable, so Sheriff Tony Gardner contacted Teton Stage Lines in Idaho Falls. The Idaho-based company, celebrating 90 years in operation, responded immediately.
Photo of Garden Creek fire on Fort Hall Indian Reservation, by Lee McCain. | Facebook“They asked if we could respond and how quickly,” said Nathan Harrington, Teton’s operations director, in Bus & Motorcoach News. “We said, ‘We can do it right away.’ And within hours, we had 12 buses rolling into the canyon.”
Harrington praised his drivers for their swift response. “You dropped everything to help get these youth kids out of the hills,” he said. “Ninety years of success can’t happen without drivers like you.”
Cook said the decision to evacuate came while many campers were still away from the main site at Sellars Creek Ranch. Handheld radios helped leaders spread the word. “We told everyone to just grab essential personal items,” Cook said. “Handcarts were left up there.”
Despite smoke visible from camp—about four miles from the fire—Cook emphasized that the evacuation was precautionary. “We were evacuated from an abundance of caution.”
More than 10 buses transported the youth to Thunder Ridge High School in Idaho Falls, but leaders quickly realized the space wasn’t ideal for their needs. They were redirected to a local Latter-day Saint meetinghouse, where the group could better regroup and rest.
“The campers did beyond well,” said Stake Young Women President Lori Newbold. “They were resilient, positive, and helpful. They were rolling with everything.”
They were troopers,” added trek master Cort Ashton. “We had some anxiousness, but they supported each other.”
Photo of the Garden Creek fire on Fort Hall Indian Reservation, by Lee McCain. | FacebookAccording to Bus & Motorcoach News, Teton Stage Lines offered to take participants all the way back to Utah following the evacuation, but the group chose instead to continue their experience at a safer location. With a note of admiration, Harrington said that this decision reflected the same pioneer spirit they were honoring.
Firefighting efforts involved nine agencies, including air crews dropping water and retardant. Fort Hall Fire Chief Eric King told Local News 8 that the fire’s threat eased by evening. “The fire had the potential to become something much more destructive,” King said. “But with the help of air resources and ground crews, we were able to get it under better control.”
The trek participants ultimately ended their experience a day earlier than expected and returned to Utah. Still, President Cook believes the youth left with an even greater understanding of the pioneer experience and their own strength. “Campers learned a lot from that experience,” he said. “Life lessons that they will use to become better citizens.”
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Sources:
- Post Register: “LDS youth camp wraps up whirlwind fire evacuation“
- Bus & Motorcoach News: “Teton Stage Lines helps evacuate youth from Idaho church camp threatened by wildfire“
- Idaho State Journal: “Firefighters gain upper hand on Garden Creek Fire, evacuation orders lifted“
- Local News 8 (KIFI) – “Garden Creek Fire now at 1,000 acres – Evacuation orders lifted as fire conditions improve“
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
“They asked if we could respond and how quickly,” said Nathan Harrington, Teton’s operations director, in Bus & Motorcoach News. “We said, ‘We can do it right away.’ And within hours, we had 12 buses rolling into the canyon.”
“Harrington praised his drivers for their swift response. “You dropped everything to help get these youth kids out of the hills,” he said. “Ninety years of success can’t happen without drivers like you.”The camp’s original transportation provider was unavailable, so Sheriff Tony Gardner contacted Teton Stage Lines in Idaho Falls. The Idaho-based company, celebrating 90 years in operation, responded immediately.”
“According to Bus & Motorcoach News, Teton Stage Lines offered to take participants all the way back to Utah following the evacuation, but the group chose instead to continue their experience at a safer location. With a note of admiration, Harrington said that this decision reflected the same pioneer spirit they were honoring.”
KUDOS to Teton Stage Lines for immediately responding to this call for help in evacuating the participants from the encroaching fires, and for offering to take them all the way back to Utah if they wanted! This is an example of Christian brotherhood at its finest !