Idaho Man Tries to Smoke Out Badger-Starts Fire Instead

EAGLE, Idaho (AP) — Officials in southwestern Idaho say a man started a grass fire when he tried to smoke a badger out of a culvert. The Ada County sheriff's office says the fire burned about four acres near a golf course north of Eagle on Wednesday evening.

The man called 911 at about 6 p.m. and told dispatchers he had placed a smoke bomb in one end of the culvert and was waiting for the animal to emerge from the other end when the wind shifted and the smoke bomb rolled into the grass.

Fire crews with aerial support had the fire contained within about two hours. Sheriff's spokesman Patrick Orr says no decisions have been made about whether the man will be held financially responsible. The fate of the badger is unknown.