Pocatello brush fire destroys buildings, damages vehicles

POCATELLO — A Thursday afternoon brush fire in Pocatello destroyed several buildings and damaged vehicles.

The North Bannock Fire Department responded to a brush fire threatening buildings on Pocatello Creek Road near Pocatello Field Archers around 2:30 p.m., according to a department release.

When fire crews arrived, they found the fire had already spread to an outbuilding in the area. The department requested assistance from Pocatello, Chubbuck and Fort Hall fire departments, along with Bannock County Search and Rescue and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office as it began to battle the blaze.

There were no injuries or loss of life reported, according to the release, but several buildings were destroyed and vehicles on the property were damaged.

The fire was started by the home owner as a controlled burn, the department said in the release.

“With a lack of moisture in the valley, the grasses are dry, and it does not take much to lose control of a controlled burn,” the release says. “Before you burn, ensure there is bare ground surrounding your fire and that you have plenty of water for extinguishment.”

NBFD also asks that residents planning to burn off excess brush first acquire a burn permit at NorthBannockFire.us or in person at the North Bannock fire house at 444 East Chubbuck Road. Those outside of the North Bannock Fire District can acquire a burn permit from their fire protection agency.