Fast-Moving Range Fire Forces Evacuations in Eastern Idaho
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Authorities have ordered evacuations in eastern Idaho where a fast-moving wildfire burning rangeland and sage grouse habitat in a rural area has ballooned to 40 square miles.
The Bonneville County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday ordered the evacuations east of Idaho Falls but the number of residents told to leave isn't clear. The human-caused blaze reported Sunday has taken off in the last several days due to dry conditions and winds up to 40 mph.
The sheriff's office says it's working with ranchers to get cattle out of the fire's path. In central Idaho, a 157-square-mile wildfire is burning timber in remote, mountainous backcountry near Lowman where low level evacuation notices are in place. About 2,000 firefighters are assigned to the blaze.