66 Pocatello Homes Destroyed in Wildfire, 1,000 evacuated

By Associated Press and KTVB

POCATELLO -- Fire officials say 66 homes and 29 outbuildings in southwest Pocatello have burned and more are threatened in a fast-moving wildfire. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from some Pocatello neighborhoods and the community of Mink Creek. The Charlotte fire started Thursday afternoon, spreading quickly through bone-dry grass and brush. Sarah Wheeler with the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center said late Friday morning that the fire is burning on just over 1,000 acres -- that's a little more than 1 1/2 square miles -- and is estimated to be about 30 percent contained. So far, no injuries have been reported.  Officials have not yet released details about what may have sparked the flames but say it is believed to be human-caused. The Bannock County Sheriff's Office told KTVB that no one had been injured in the fire, and that no more evacuations will likely take place. Bannock County has declared a county disaster, which allows more resources to be available to help fight the fire and help any victims who may be injured or homeless. BLM officials say Holt Arena and Century High School in Pocatello have been temporarily converted to emergency shelters for evacuees. We'll have more information as this story develops.