POCATELLO — The Pocatello Fire Department is urging local residents to be aware of significantly dry conditions after battling a brush fire east of Pacific Steel near the railroad tracks on North Harrison Avenue Thursday afternoon.

The fire, reported around 1:40 p.m., scorched about 100 feet of dry grass and sagebrush before firefighters had it extinguished in less than 10 minutes.

When the Idaho State Journal arrived on scene at 1:50 p.m., about a half dozen Pocatello firefighters were dousing all edges of the burned grass with water and tossing dirt onto remaining hot spots.

The fire started when a man cutting a piece of steel on the side of the road near Pacific Steel produced sparks that quickly ignited the dry roadside grass, Pocatello Fire Department Capt. Nate Houser said. The man attempted to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher but was unable to keep up with the blaze as it spread.

"This just shows how dry things are," Houser said. "Within seconds it was moving, taking off fast. It shows how quickly these things can start moving."

Houser said the individual was not affiliated with Pacific Steel and nobody was injured as a result of the blaze. He also urged residents not to attempt to fight fires on their own and to call 911 immediately.

"We would rather people, if they can, stay safe, and get away from the fire," Houser said. "It may look simple, but firefighting is a complex job."

A burn ban is currently in effect for Pocatello and Bannock County wildland-urban interface areas. Houser said residents with questions about whether burning is permitted in their area should contact the fire department. Covered fire pits may be permitted in certain areas, he said.

More information about the burn ban is available at bannockcounty.gov. Residents with questions can contact the Pocatello Fire Department at 208-234-6201.