Huge fire erupts south of Glenns Ferry

A storm accompanied by lightning strikes that swept through the area Saturday afternoon sparked a number of fires, including one that had burned more than 325,000 acres as of Tuesday morning.

The Long Butte Fire began as a lightning strike in the desert 30-35 miles south of Glenns Ferry. Pushed by "strong, erratic winds and the light flashy fuels of sage, grass and brush," the Bureau of Land Management said, the fire has now burned into the Hagerman area where fire crews are working the fire line.

Air tankers and helicopters dropped retardant and water on the blaze as engine and dozer crews work on the ground to keep the fire away from private structures. Rural fire departments have provided structure protection near Bell Rapids and Hagerman.

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