2 additional wildfires ignite near Pocatello
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The following is a news release from the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center on Tuesday.
IDAHO FALLS – Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center resources are responding to two additional wildfires, which ignited the afternoon of July 5, 2016.
Rapid Creek Fire
The Rapid Creek Fire is located approximately three miles northeast of Inkom, Idaho. Several resources are on site including four heavy engines, one light engine and one type 2 hand crew (Portneuf Fuels Crew). The fire is estimated to be around 200 acres and 20 percent contained. Fire investigators are on scene and are attributing the cause of the fire to fireworks.
MM48
The MM48 Fire is located approximately 1 mile north of McCammon and is estimated to be 3 acres in size. EIIFC and local fire department crews are making excellent progress and expect to reach containment tonight at 6 p.m. with a control time of 9 p.m. This fire is thought to be human-caused and a fire investigator is currently on scene
Other fires
The Timbered Dome Fire started July 4, 2016, and is located approximately 5 miles west of Arco. Estimated size is at 2,000 acres. It is currently 20 percent contained. The incident commander expects to reach containment July 7, 2016 at 10 p.m. with control time estimated at 8 p.m. on July 9, 2016. Current resources on the fire include six engines, three dozers, one 20-person hand crew and one water tender. Two additional engines, one dozer and two 20-person hand crews have been ordered. An Incident Command Post is set up near the fire. One helicopter is assisting with air operations during this operation period. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Yale Fire located about one mile southwest of Sawtell Peak at the head of Hell Roaring Canyon is still smoldering. The fire is burning in a small group of whitebark pine and subalpine fir trees and received some moisture in the past 24 hours. No change in acreage.
The Lanes Creek Fire also received some moisture over the past 24 hours. The fire is located about 10 miles north-northwest of Thayne, Wyoming. The fire has grown from 1.5 acres to 2.0 acres.
Both the Yale and Lanes Creek Fires are being managed to allow fire to play its natural role in the ecosystem. Naturally-occurring fires can increase the health of the forest.
Please remember, fireworks are illegal on public lands. Future updates, as well as information on other fires throughout the state, can be found at www.IdahoFireInfo.com.