Firefighters fully contained the large wildfire burning south of Pocatello Regional Airport on Sunday night, successfully keeping the flames from coming close to homes and other structures.

The blaze had started Friday in the area of Michaud Creek and Kinport Substation roads, scorching dozens of acres before firefighters thought they had it extinguished.

But the fire rekindled around 11:15 a.m. Saturday and grew in size to 1,560 acres before firefighters finally stopped its spread around 9 p.m. Sunday.

Air tankers flew sorties against the blaze Saturday afternoon, dropping retardant to help firefighters on the ground try to stop the fire’s spread.in sagebrush and juniper on Fort Hall Reservation land.

Firefighters hope to have the blaze fully extinguished by early Tuesday evening.

Firefighters from the Power County, Fort Hall and North Bannock fire departments as well as the Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs are battling the flames, which were burning toward the Simplot plant just outside of Pocatello city limits prior to containment.

Authorities said the fire never posed a threat to the plant.

The rekindled wildfire generated a massive cloud of smoke Saturday that could be seen from several miles away. Much of the smoke entered Pocatello, decreasing visibility and giving the air a smoky smell.

Strong winds on Saturday are believed to have caused the blaze to restart and quickly spread, authorities said.

Authorities said the rekindled fire has thus far not caused any injuries, evacuations, damage to structures or road closures.

The fire is burning near Interstate 86 but the smoke is mostly blowing away from the freeway. East County Road is close to the blaze but is currently open to traffic. Numerous onlookers pulled over their vehicles along the road to watch the blaze Saturday afternoon, causing Idaho State Police to urge the public to stay away from the area because of the active wildfire threat.

The fire was initially reported shortly before noon Friday by a local teenage girl who said it started as a bonfire that had gotten out of control.

Power County and Fort Hall firefighters responded and had the fire under control by around 2:20 p.m. Friday.

The blaze consumed 150 to 200 acres of sagebrush and juniper and jumped Michaud Creek on Friday 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.

The blaze remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.