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Three fires burning in area
Lightning from afternoon thunderstorms Wednesday sparked two large wildfires south of Bruneau, one of which has burned 15,000 acres, but winds and rugged terrain have hampered suppression efforts.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out overnight near Glenns Ferry.
Fire crews from King Hill Rural Fire District responded to a grass fire sparked by lightning in the Cold Springs area approximately 8 miles west of Glenns Ferry on Friday morning. Crews were dispatched at 12:30 a.m. and remained on scene until 4:30 a.m. said Fire Chief Bob Janousek.
High winds fanned the flames of the West Cold Fire along the ridge then pushed them down into Cold Springs. Fire crews from BLM also responded, attacking the blaze from atop the ridge and down in the canyon. Although several residences and outbuildings were threatened. Janousek said none of the structures were damaged.
BLM fire crews have suppressed the fire, which burned 300 acres, and begun mop-up operations with the use of a water dropping helicopter. They hope to contain the West Cold Fire by 6 p.m. tonight.
South of the Snake River two fires were burning Friday morning.
Firefighters hope to contain the Crowbar Fire, which has burned 15,000 acres 12 miles south of Bruneau, by 9 p.m. Friday night.
Erratic fire behavior in the fire area Thursday night caused a brief shutdown of Highway 51 south of Bruneau. Highway 51 is currently open to traffic but the public should be aware of fire traffic in the area.
The resources currently assigned to the Crowbar Fire include six wildland fire engines, two water tenders, and two bull dozers. There are currently 70 personnel assigned for suppression efforts on the Crowbar Fire.
No structures were not threatened by the fire.
The 550-acre Pot Fire is burning in grass and sage, 34 miles south of Grand View but the BLM expects to contain the blaze by 6 p.m. Friday night.
Fire crews will continue mopping up the fire area throughout the day, taking advantage of cooler morning temperatures and higher humidity.
Current resources assigned to the Pot Fire include six wildland fire engines, one bulldozer, one helicopter, and two 20-person hand crews, for a total of 90 personnel. No structures were threatened by the fire.A Red Flag warning has been issued as fire crews brace for additional dry thunderstorms to move through the area Friday and Saturday.