Idaho Falls District Fire Updates

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2017, 4 p.m.

Contact: Kelsey Griffee, kgriffee@blm.gov, 208-521-8709

Idaho Falls District Fire Updates

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#WildhorseFire & #BLMIFDFire)

Wildhorse Fire

Start Date: 07/30/2017, reported 3:30 p.m.

Location and Jurisdiction: 6 miles South of Big Southern Butte about 35 miles west of Blackfoot, ID, BLM

Cause: Lightning

Fire Size: 26,848 acres, growth mainly due to accurate mapping

Percent Contained:  Containment estimated for 7/31 at 10 p.m., dozer line is around a most of the fire

Fire Behavior: The fire was active this afternoon when 20 mph wind gusts stirred up heat within the fire perimeter, which then burned islands of unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter

Structures Threatened:  No immediate threat to structures.

Fuels and Terrain:  Burning in grass and sage brush. 

Fire Crews/Resources: 8 engines, 4 dozers, 1 water tender, 10 air tankers

Evacuations:  None in effect at this time.

Closures:  None.

Summary: Minimal fire activity this morning helped firefighters secure the large fire perimeter. Fire growth is due in part to wind gusts of 20 mph this afternoon and more accurate mapping. Active fire behavior was seen this afternoon in areas within the fire perimeter that contained unburned vegetation. Retardant drops were made to keep fire activity within the fire perimeter that is mostly surrounded by dozer line. Retardant drops were made by seven single engine air tankers and three heavy air tankers.

Mine Canyon

Start Date: 07/30/2017, reported 3:30 p.m.

Location and Jurisdiction: Mine Canyon, 8 miles SW of Hawkins Reservoir, BLM

Cause: Lightning

Fire Size: 10 acres

Percent Contained:  No estimated containment at this time

Fire Behavior: Minimal fire behavior, difficult terrain is slowing firefighters

Structures Threatened:  No immediate threat to structures.

Fuels and Terrain:  Burning in grass and sage brush. 

Fire Crews/Resources: 8 smokejumpers, 2 Type-1 handcrews, Type-3 helicopter (assisting with crew shuttles and supply needs)

Evacuations:  None in effect at this time.

Closures:  None.

Summary: Smokejumpers and two hotshot crews, Snake River and Fort Apache, were brought in due to the difficult terrain. There has not been any fire growth as of this release.

Deer Creek II

Start Date: 07/31/2017, reported 3:30 p.m.

Location and Jurisdiction: 3 miles NW of Thayne, WY, Caribou-Targhee NF

Cause: Lightning

Fire Size: 1/10 acre

Percent Contained:  Contained at 3:30 p.m., expected control for 4 p.m.

Fire Behavior: No active fire behavior