You could call them the heroes of Heise.

All weekend a crew of 126 firefighters stood between the Big Rock Fire and dozens of homes near Heise — and so far, they haven’t lost a single one.

Firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the Idaho Department of Lands and fire departments from Bonneville, Madison and Jefferson counties have defended an enormous footprint of property from the flames: 30 to 40 homes, roughly 100 outbuildings, Kelly Canyon Resort, Heise Resort and 7N Ranch.

The math is staggering. Against a wildfire now estimated at 2,482 acres, 126 firefighters have kept every one of those structures standing except for two unused sheds — a feat fire officials themselves described as “pretty heroic.”

It hasn’t been easy and it isn’t over.

But after surviving the best the fire could throw at them all weekend, firefighters were finally able to go on offense Monday, thanks to much cooler temps and mild 5 mph winds. Fire officials said crews actively engaged the flames on Monday, trying to extinguish the blaze and achieve the containment that so far has been elusive.

Authorities said it’s clear that firefighters are starting to gain the upper hand on the wildfire after spending the weekend building containment lines and reacting to the blaze’s every push.

It’s hoped that Tuesday brings even more success against a fire that’s still zero percent contained but for the first time appears vulnerable.

Fire officials said crews are still stretched thin and they won’t be getting help anytime soon — with major wildfires burning across the West, no reinforcements are coming. The 126 firefighters currently on scene are, for now, all there is.

Overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, the fire broke through containment lines on its west flank in Madison County, forcing more evacuations. Rather than trying to hold a broken line, crews fell back to defend individual homes directly — and didn’t lose a single structure, fire officials said.

That overnight intensity has been unusual. Wildfires typically slow down after dark, as dropping temperatures and rising humidity sap a fire’s energy — giving firefighters a nightly window to gain ground. The Big Rock Fire hasn’t followed that pattern. In its first two nights, the fire continued spreading aggressively after sunset, denying crews the overnight reprieve they’d normally count on.

Sunday brought no rest as winds reached over 30 mph but once again firefighters didn’t lose a single home as they continued shoring up their containment lines.

Fire officials have confirmed the Big Rock Fire was caused by lightning. It was first reported near Heise, a small community northeast of Idaho Falls, around 5:30 p.m. Friday and quickly consumed about 200 acres before exploding in size on Saturday to over 2,000 acres.

Despite the scale of the blaze and the brutal conditions crews are working in — including 100-degree daytime highs Saturday and rugged, sometimes vehicle-inaccessible terrain — there have been no injuries reported as a result of the fire, something fire officials called incredible given the circumstances. Officials don’t have an exact count of how many people have been evacuated so far, but said it’s safe to say dozens of residents have been forced from their homes since the fire began.

The community has responded in kind. Fire officials said local residents and businesses have been dropping off food, water and Gatorade at fire stations and checkpoints near the fire, with local restaurants donating meals for crews working around the clock.

“That’s impressive,” fire crews were overheard saying, according to a Sunday Facebook update from Jefferson County officials, who said the outpouring of community support “has not gone unnoticed.”

As of Sunday, Jefferson County said fire crews now have the hydration, food and supplies they need, and additional donations are no longer necessary. The evacuation shelter at South Fork Elementary School in Rexburg, managed by the American Red Cross, is not accepting donations.

“Everyone at the scene has expressed tremendous gratitude for the way our community has come together to support firefighters, first responders, and those affected by the fire,” Jefferson County officials said via Facebook.

Fire officials said what’s most noteworthy about all the donations firefighters have received from the community is that the assistance was unsolicited. Local residents and restaurants saw the need and took action on their own.

The fire’s toll on the region has continued to shift day by day. The evacuation area along South Snake River Road, which had been placed under a full “Go” evacuation order early Sunday after the fire crossed containment lines, was downgraded Sunday afternoon back to “Ready” status, allowing residents to return home to check on their properties. Roads in that area remain closed to the general public and officials are asking non-residents to stay out of the area entirely, including anyone hoping to view the fire.

A Level 3 “Go” evacuation order remains in effect for all homes and campgrounds north of Heise, extending north to Lyons Creek Road and 9000 South, and east to 7000 East, just west of Luthy Meadows, as well as for residences north of the Snake River from Heise Hot Springs east to the “Y” at Kelly Canyon and Forest Service Road 218, extending north to East 12000. Table Rock and Wolf Flats campground areas remain under a Level 2 “Set” evacuation warning. Residents can check whether they’re in a Ready, Set or Go zone at warn.pbs.org.

Every road into Heise and Kelly Canyon remains sealed off, and officials say they’ll stay that way until fire crews say it’s safe.

The fire’s reach extends well beyond dry land. The Bureau of Land Management issued a formal closure order Saturday shutting down BLM-managed lands, roads, campgrounds and trails throughout the South Fork of the Snake River Canyon from Conant Boat Access to Byington Boat Access, prohibiting all river camping through Aug. 10. The South Fork is also closed to boaters from Byington Boat Access downstream. The Cress Creek and Stinking Springs trails, along with every other hiking and biking trail in the Kelly Canyon and Heise areas, are closed as well. Violators could be tried before a U.S. magistrate, fined and imprisoned for up to 12 months, according to the formal order.

The Idaho Department of Lands has also temporarily closed state endowment lands in the Kelly Canyon block south of Moody Creek, about 5 miles east of Ririe.

Fire officials continue to plead with the public to keep drones out of the area entirely — unauthorized drone activity can force helicopters and air tankers to ground immediately, halting the very air operations crews depend on most.

“If you fly, we can’t,” officials have repeatedly warned.