FORT HALL — A fast-moving wildfire caused significant destruction to structures and vehicles Friday on the Fort Hall Reservation before firefighters were able to extinguish the flames.
Authorities reported Friday evening that the blaze along Hawthorne Road had destroyed 50 vehicles, two mobile homes, two pole barns and as many as 20 pieces of farm equipment including tractors before firefighters gained the upper hand.
There were no injuries and most of the destroyed vehicles were in a junk yard area, authorities said.
Fort Hall firefighters responded to the fire around 2:30 p.m. and with help from several neighboring fire departments and the U.S. Wildland Fire Service they had the blaze under control by 7:30 p.m.
The blaze began as a haystack fire that quickly spread into a grassy field and structures along Hawthorne Road between Cemetery and Edmo roads, fire officials said.
Residents were temporarily evacuated as firefighters from the Pocatello, North Bannock, Chubbuck and Blackfoot fire departments rushed to the scene in an effort to help the Fort Hall Fire Department save homes and other structures in the fire's path.
Though the fire only scorched about 10 acres, the density of vehicles, farm equipment and structures in its path led to significant losses.
The blaze also caused the temporary closure of Hawthorne Road.
As of Friday night, authorities said firefighters remained on the scene making sure there were no remaining hot spots.
Fire officials said they were investigating what caused the haystack to catch fire.
The public was still being told Friday night to stay away from the fire scene until further notice.