RICHFIELD, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — A wildfire that sparked Thursday night following a lightning storm is now contained, and burned 13,392 acres, according to Watch Duty.
The Black Ridge 2 fire was burning east of Shoshone. Ryan Berlin, fire information officer for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, said the storm that ignited the fire produced dry lightning, which — combined with wind and light, flashy fuels — allowed the fire to spread rapidly.
Berlin said lava rock terrain in the area has been one of the biggest obstacles for crews.
“It is hard for fire engines to get out here. It’s very hard to maneuver,” Berlin said. “The dozers cannot get down to bare minimum soil so it’s a lot more work and it’s very hard on the equipment. A lot of flat tires. We’ve already had an engine break a driveline.”
Crews were first dispatched to the fire around 8 to 9 p.m. Thursday and worked through the night. Berlin said daylight on Friday brought some relief, but challenges remained.
“It’s a maze of roads out here and it’s challenging to get to the fire’s edge as is and then with the rocky terrain it’s even more challenging,” he said.
No structures threatened; rangeland at risk
Berlin said no nearby homes or towns are currently threatened by the fire, but the surrounding land is a concern.
“This area out here is livelihood for ranchers and rangeland and habitat so we want to get the fire put out as fast as possible and cause minimal damage to the landscape,” Berlin said.
Two dozers was working the fire’s perimeter, along with several engines and aircraft. Berlin said aircraft are loading out of Twin Falls and running continuous load-and-return operations. Additional crews were arriving Friday morning.
Berlin said the U.S. Wildland Fire Service is was working several lightning-caused fires across southern Idaho and is asking the public to take precautions to prevent human-caused ignitions.
“We would just ask the public to be vigilant in recreating to minimize human starts as much as possible,” Berlin said, adding that people should check vehicle chains, avoid parking in tall dry grass, and be cautious when operating UTVs, motorcycles, or other vehicles.
Although the fire was contained, the fire is expected to be controlled by Monday, July 2Oth, at 6 p.m. fire officials said.
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