Passing Thunderstorms Start Blaze North of Carey

DATE:  Sept. 1, 2016

CONTACT:  Kelsey Brizendine, 208-308-5991

SHOSHONE, ID – The Twin Falls District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Carey Rural Fire Department and the Sawtooth National Forest responded to the Paddleford Fire, five miles north of Carey last evening.

The lightning caused wildfire was reported to South Central Idaho Dispatch at 6:48 p.m. Resources from the Carey Rural Fire Department, along with six engines, two dozers, one water tender and three overhead from the Twin Falls District BLM and Sawtooth National Forest responded to the now estimated 3,000 acre fire.

The passing thunderstorm that started the blaze also brought gusty winds, causing erratic fire behavior. Once the thunderstorm passed, the wind driven fire slowed and fire fighters were able to use the lava rock as a natural barrier to assist in the firefighting efforts.

Incident Commander, Clay Stephens, estimates the full containment of the Paddleford Fire to be today at noon, with an estimated control of tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.  Clay states that crews worked hard through the night to slow the fire’s growth and will spend today improving containment lines and seeking out hot spots.

A mapping mission has been set for 9:00 a.m. today to get the exact size of the wildfire. For more information on the Paddleford Fire and for tips on how to prevent a wildfire, please visit: www.idahofireinfo.com  and follow us on Twitter at BLMIdahoFire  #TFDFire.