Firefighters battle 225-acre wildfire near Grace as Red Flag conditions persist across eastern Idaho
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GRACE – Firefighters are working to contain a 225-acre wildfire three miles east of Grace.
The human-caused blaze started Friday evening in McPherson Canyon on private property and quickly spread onto U.S. Forest Service land. While no injuries have been reported, it is a threat to at least one building or home in the area.
“Ground resources are working their way around the fire with support from aircraft,” officials with the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center say in a news release.
Four fire engines are on scene, along with two bull dozers. The air operation consists of one air attack aircraft, one helicopter, heavy air tankers and overhead.
Firefighters are hoping to have the fire fully contained by Sunday at 6 p.m. They’re working to have it controlled by Tuesday at 6 p.m.
They’re asking the public to avoid the area as firefighting operations continue.
“Red Flag weather conditions will most likely continue into Monday with low relative humidities and gusty winds adding complexity to containment,” fire officials say.
The McPherson Fire is one of five active wildfires in eastern Idaho, the largest of which is the 2,516-acre Lake Channel blaze west of Pocatello, according to the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center. The lightning-caused brush fire started just before 6 p.m. on July 29.
RELATED | Wildfire smoke chokes eastern Idaho as air quality alerts expand across region
On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton counties. This was in response to the Byrne Side Fire in the area of 9000 South and 1600 East, the Sunnydell area south of Rexburg. It started Wednesday night as a result of a spark from grinding operations during repairs on a railroad bridge, according to the Madison Fire Department. The 150-acre blaze was fully contained on Thursday afternoon.
RELATED | Byrne Side Fire, sparked by railroad repair work, now fully contained, officials say
On Wednesday night, fire officials said the blaze was “being considered a hazard fire associated with the Big Rock Fire” near Heise. In a Saturday morning update, fire officials say the Big Rock Fire is 2,142 acres and 60% contained. Road closures are in place in the vicinity.
RELATED | Day 7: Big Rock Fire’s official cause released as it continues to burn near Heise
As of Friday morning, the DEQ reported the air quality in the area was moderate and lifted its advisory.
“Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution,” the department says.
Meanwhile, stage 1 fire restrictions are in place for eastern Idaho. This includes all federal, state and private forest and rangelands, roads, and trails, situated in Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, Power, Oneida, and Teton counties.
“Fire restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of any preventable fires in the designated areas,” the U.S. Forest Service says in a Friday morning news release.
During this time, fires that don’t meet certain requirements are banned. Exemptions are listed here.
Adding to the fire danger, the National Weather Service in Pocatello has also issued a heat advisory for eastern Idaho. Meteorologists are forecasting dry conditions through the weekend with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s.
“If you’re heading outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and limit time in direct sunlight,” the Pocatello bureau wrote in a Friday morning Facebook post.
EastIdahoNews.com will provide wildfire and weather updates as we receive them. For current conditions and a complete seven-day forecast in your area, click here.
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