Local firefighters responded to two human-caused wildfires Friday, stopping both blazes before they could damage any structures or cause any injuries.
The first fire ignited in the area of Michaud Creek and Kinport Substation roads south of Pocatello Regional Airport. A local teenage girl reported the blaze shortly before noon Friday as a bonfire that had gotten out of control.
Power County and Fort Hall firefighters responded and had the fire extinguished by around 2:20 p.m. The blaze consumed 150 to 200 acres of dry sagebrush and juniper and jumped Michaud Creek but resulted in no injuries, evacuations, damage to structures or road closures, according to the Power County Sheriff's Office.
Although the fire occurred near Pocatello Regional Airport, it did not disrupt any flights or other operations there, authorities said.
Sheriff's deputies said the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The second fire ignited around 2:45 p.m. in a grassy field between a mobile home park on the 6300 block of South Fifth Avenue and Interstate 15 in south Pocatello. Pocatello firefighters had the blaze extinguished by around 3:20 p.m.
The fire scorched a couple of acres but never threatened the nearby mobile homes. There were no evacuations, damage to structures, injuries or road closures.
According to the Pocatello Fire Department, an elementary school-aged boy started the fire by igniting a piece of paper in the field. The boy will be required to complete a fire prevention program to avoid being cited, authorities said.
The fire clouded nearby Interstate 15 with smoke, causing Idaho State Police to urge motorists to avoid the freeway until the blaze was extinguished.



(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In