BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Several fires have started burning throughout the Gem State in the last week due to hot temperatures and low humidity. While none of the fires get within an hour of Boise, some fires pose threats to vast amounts of land within several national forests.
The two closest (substantial) fires to Boise are the Goldrun Fire and the Dutch Fire, both of which are expected to be contained within the next 24 hours.
Goldrun Fire: 799 acres, 100% containment
Burning about an hour north of Boise, and approximately three miles northeast of Ola, Idaho, the Goldrun Fire was fully contained Tuesday, July 25. The near 800-acre fire was human-caused, first being reported one week ago, Tuesday the 18th. It crew quickly due to triple-digit temperatures and gusty wind conditions, but the 200+ person crew quickly surrounded the fire.
Now, the team plans to mop up the site and monitor it, which they will do for the remainder of the summer to ensure that lingering smoke is located well within containment lines. Repair efforts are also beginning to take place.
Dutch Fire: 196 acres, 0% containment
The Dutch Fire is located near Dutcher Creek, in the Owyhee Mountains close to the Idaho/Oregon border. It broke out Monday, July 25, with the fire being reported as human-caused.
The team managing the fire quickly mapped out the fire to be around 196.7 acres, and full containment is expected by the end of the night.
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Further from the Treasure Valley, there's a few major fires that are starting to spread quickly.
Hayden Fire: 9,660 acres, 0% containment
Idaho's largest wildfire so far this season, is the Hayden Fire, burning in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The fire broke out Wednesday, July 19, in steep, difficult terrain with spruce and downed timber.
The fire, 33 miles south of Salmon and about 18 miles west of Leodore, Idaho, has grown swiftly to 9,660 acres. The fire's remoteness and vast amount of fuel has allowed it to grow at such a quick rate.
There will be a community meeting in Leadore Tuesday, July 25th at 7:00 p.m., regarding the fire; it will be recorded and uploaded to the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook page afterward.
Little Bear Fire: 646 acres, 0% containment
Burning in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, the Little Bear Fire ignited Monday, July 3, due to a lightning strike. Fourteen personnel are currently assigned to the fire which is burning across remnants of the 2012 Freezeout Fire.
Fire behavior intensity is expected to increase over the next few days and weeks due to hot conditions and low humidity. A protection strategy has been put in place to limit the fire's spread and to protect structures nearby through the use of sprinkler systems that have been set up by crew.
The fire is less than a mile east of Bear Mountain Lookout.
Elkhorn Fire: 1200 acres, 0% containment
The Elkhorn Fire quickly grew from an initial estimate of 50 acres upon detection Monday night, to 1,200 acres by Tuesday afternoon. It's burning just south of the Salmon River (which remains open for recreational rafting), in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
Part of the concern regarding the Elkhorn Fire, is the remoteness, being 2 miles from the nearest road (which is dirt, not paved). Sixteen smokejumpers were deployed and a 10-person crew is making the trip to the scene by jetboat.
The fire should be mapped out tonight by an infrared plane scan that can reveal the exact acreage (1200 was the latest estimate).
Note: Data is up-to-date as of 5:58 p.m., 7/25.
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