Firefighters are still working to contain a wildfire northeast of Bancroft, but they were able to get control of two smaller fires near Pocatello and Blackfoot on Wednesday.

They were also fighting a grass fire in Idaho Falls on Wednesday night.

The Mabey Fire, which was started by lightening roughly eight miles northeast of Bancroft on Monday, was estimated to be 1,140 acres in on Wednesday — down slightly from Tuesday’s estimate of 1,250 acres, said Lynn Ballard, a fire information officer with the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center.

“They made good progress, the winds weren’t quite as strong today,” Ballard said, adding that they also brought in some additional resources.

As of Wednesday afternoon, they had three helicopters, four 20-person crews, 12 engines, six water tenders and two bulldozers assigned to the fire, Ballard said, adding that they are hoping to be able to contain the blaze by Thursday evening.

Although firefighters were concerned about five homes and numerous out-buildings in the area earlier this week, Ballard said the threat had diminished on Wednesday. Still, they were prepared to bring in additional resources to protect the structures if need be.

Ballard said there are some other concerns in the area as well, including sage grouse habitat and a sensitive species of cactus, which firefighters are also trying to

protect.

Area firefighters were also working on two smaller fires on Wednesday.

Pocatello firefighters were called to a grass fire adjacent to Highway 30, just west of the Hoku plant, around 6 p.m.

The Pocatello Fire Department dispatched four engines and two brush trucks to the fire that burned approximately a half acre before it was contained shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The cause of the fire is still unknown, although firefighters said it was likely caused by a train due to its proximity to the train tracks. BLM firefighters were also able to contain a fire that started in the area of 2000 W. 600 N., west of Blackfoot, on Tuesday night.

Ballard said that fire covered 17 acres, but was contained shortly before noon on Wednesday.

The fire, which was started by a camper cooking in the area, destroyed a motorcycle and a utility trailer, according to Blackfoot firefighters who assisted at the scene.

Idaho Falls firefighters were also called to a grass fire behind a salvage yard in the area of 1218 E. Iona Road around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, according to emergency dispatchers.

Additional details weren’t available on Wednesday night.