BUHL, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) – Two large fires broke out across Balanced Rock Canyon on Saturday, forcing portions of 4300 North Road to be closed.
The fields were blackened by residues of the flame retardant used to extinguish the fire.
According to the Bureau of Land Management, the fire broke out around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.
The BLM, the Buhl and Castleford fire departments, and the Three Creek Range Land Fire Protection Agency were able to contain the fires to approximately 2,200 acres.
“We had multiple responders on this fire. It was a typical wind-driven fire that burned fast, long and thin thanks to the wind, the terrain and those prominent fuels,” said Ryan Berlin, BLM fire information officer. “It burned into the night until the wind died down and responders were able to completely surround it. By mid-morning, about one or two in the morning, they had it pretty much surrounded and the fire activity was slowing down.”
According to Berlin, the fire was human-caused and the BLM is still investigating the cause of the spark.
“It’s still hot and dry in southern Idaho, so be careful when you’re out recreating or out in that tall, dry grass,” Berlin said. “Firefighters are currently stretched thin with all of their national resources across the United States, so be careful and don’t start any new fires.”
Although it has been determined that humans caused the fire, the BLM reports that it was not intentionally set.
All rights reserved.
