Strong winds on Saturday night drastically increased the size of a wildfire burning near Massacre Rocks State Park in Power County. However, fire officials say the blaze is expected to be fully contained on Tuesday.

The Rim Fire, which is burning approximately 6 miles southwest of American Falls, was estimated to be around 873 acres on Sunday.

However, officials with the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center said the blaze’s progress slowed Sunday morning due to cooler temperatures.

The fire isn’t expected to move any closer to American Falls.

The Rim Fire was first reported on Saturday at approximately 2 p.m. It grew to 200 acres in size by Saturday evening.

One structure, Julius “River Joe” Winter’s cabin, was destroyed in the blaze.

Winter’s cabin was a landmark at Massacre Rocks State Park and had been standing there for 83 years.

Kevin Lynott, manager of Massacre Rocks State Park, said the cabin was the greatest loss for the park as none of the fire crept onto park lands.

There are currently four engines, one bulldozer and a hand crew at the scene.

“Sandy terrain is impeding vehicle access and firefighting crews are hiking in to continue operations,” a news release from EIIFC said. “Crews are focusing on reducing fire activity on the east and west side of the perimeter to keep the fire along the rim of the canyon and prevent it from dropping down into the river corridor.”

Officials said this fire was human-caused and is currently under investigation.

The Rim Fire in Power County is one of two wildfires that were ignited on Saturday.

The Rock Creek Fire, which started approximately 2 miles southwest of Inkom, burned 36 acres before it was contained on Saturday evening. The fire has been contained.

Officials said the Rock Creek Fire was also human-caused but did not elaborate any further.

Recommended for you

Welcome to the discussion!

The Idaho State Journal invites you to take part in the community conversation. But those who don't play nice may be uninvited.

Comments that are:

  • off topic
  • defamatory
  • libelous
  • obscene
  • racist
  • abusive
  • threatening
  • an invasion of privacy (doxxing)
  • profane (including attempts to misspell profanity in order to get around the profanity filter)

will be deleted. Repeat offenders will lose commenting privileges.

Comments are opinions of the author only, and do not reflect the opinions or views of Idaho State Journal.