Lightning-sparked wildfire near Malad quickly contained as extreme fire danger persists
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MALAD – A lightning-caused fire in Caribou-Targhee National Forest is fully contained.
The 2-Mile Fire started Sunday around noon about one mile east of Malad near 2-Mile Canyon, according to a news release from Caribou-Targhee National Forest. A lightning strike to a juniper tree spread to other trees, as well as grass and bush.
The Oneida County Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service responded.
The smoldering 1.6-acre blaze was contained around 3 p.m.
As of 5:30 p.m., three fire engines are on scene, and one fire use module. Firefighters estimate the blaze will be controlled around 8 p.m.
“Resources have secured the line and have begun mop-up operations on the fire,” the news release says.
The 2-Mile Fire is one of about 11 fires burning in eastern Idaho, according to the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center. The largest is the 1,636-acre Gaston Fire burning on rugged U.S. Bureau of Land Management property west of Aberdeen. A lightning strike is the cause.
RELATED | Madison County joins growing list of eastern Idaho burn bans amid extreme fire danger
Fire officials report fire danger is very high Sunday. As of July 14, five counties in eastern Idaho have open burning restrictions in place, including Bonneville, Jefferson, Madison, Fremont and Butte Counties.
Firefighters are reminding people to make responsible decisions outdoors. Practice good fire safety and don’t do anything illegal that could start a fire.
RELATED | Record-breaking heat bakes eastern Idaho as another advisory takes effect
As daytime temperatures throughout eastern Idaho approach 100-degrees Fahrenheit Sunday afternoon, a heat advisory is in place until 9 p.m. The National Weather Service in Pocatello issued the advisory Sunday morning after record-breaking temperatures on Saturday.
Meteorologists are urging the public to stay hydrated and avoid exposure to the heat for long periods of time.
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