Firefighters and farmers battle Arbon Valley inferno
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POWER COUNTY — No homes had been evacuated as of Wednesday evening, but an Arbon Valley wildfire continued to scorch acreage.
The Wednesday blaze has been unstoppable despite multiple firefighting aircraft being deployed to fight the wildfire on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation in Power County.
The massive DC-10 tanker jet based at Pocatello Regional Airport took off at about 5 p.m. Wednesday to start flying sorties against the brush blaze. At 7:10 p.m., reports indicated that additional large firefighting aircraft were en route from Boise to try to halt the fire’s spread.
The fire was reported in the Starlight Creek Road area of Arbon Valley around 3 p.m. Wednesday and firefighters from Power County, Fort Hall and Chubbuck responded.
Multiple aircraft, including the DC-10, as well as local farmers, are assisting in the firefighting effort.
There were no reports that the fire has resulted in injuries to people or damage to structures. But the flames are apparently burning very close to houses and power lines in the area.
The smoke from the fire can be seen from several miles away and authorities said the blaze has scorched dozens of acres and is growing.
Authorities have not yet commented on what could have sparked the blaze.
This article was originally published in the Idaho State Journal. It is used here with permission.