About 10 wildfires burning across eastern Idaho as forecasters warn of hottest weekend yet
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IDAHO FALLS – Multiple trees inside Caribou-Targhee National Forest caught fire Friday afternoon.
The lightning-caused half-acre Alpine Slough Fire is burning about 10 miles west of Fish Haven near the Idaho-Utah state line by Wilderness Peak. It’s on land under U.S. Forest Service jurisdiction.
As of Friday at 7 p.m., firefighters were calling it a “moderate” fire that was no threat to homes or buildings.
Four fire engines and a type 3 helicopter were on scene Friday night.
“Resources responded to the Alpine Slough fire Friday afternoon. Engine crews hiked into the fire to begin work with support of the type 3 helicopter. Resources have utilized the helicopter for water bucket drops to reach estimated containment and control,” fire officials said in a news release.
Containment was estimated for Friday at 10 p.m. Firefighters are hoping to have it controlled by Saturday at 10 p.m.
Another small lightning-caused fire about six miles west of Kilgore was controlled Wednesday, according to fire officials with Caribou-Targhee National Forest. It started earlier that day and was only one-tenth of an acre.
These are just two of about 10 active wildfires burning throughout eastern Idaho, according to the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center. One of the most noteworthy is the 1,579-acre Maze Fire, which started Monday around 3:45 p.m. about seven miles west of Rexburg on U.S. Bureau of Land Management property near Beaver Dick Park and the Unified Sportsmen’s Club shooting range at 9029 West Idaho Highway 33.
RELATED | Maze Fire fully contained as scorching heat settles over eastern Idaho
The flames quickly spread, prompting the early evacuation of the gun range. An evacuation order later went into effect for those living on 6000 West north of West Highway 33. The evacuation order was lifted just before midnight on Monday.
The fire was fully contained on Tuesday night. As of Saturday morning, the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center is reporting the blaze was human-caused.
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Fire officials say fire danger remains very high and they’re asking the public to avoid doing anything illegal that could start a fire.
“Keep drones grounded near wildfires,” fire officials with Caribou-Targhee National Forest posted on Facebook Thursday morning. “Unauthorized flights force firefighters to halt air operations and delay critical work. Help protect communities by staying clear of fire zones.”
The National Weather Service in Pocatello is forecasting “the hottest weekend of the year so far” as daytime temperatures approach or surpass 100-degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday. Meteorologists are urging people to be safe and avoid being outside for long periods of time, if possible.
The latest conditions and a complete seven-day forecast in your area are available here.
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