Fire Forces Evacuations of Small Idaho Town

ATLANTA, Idaho (KTVB)- As several massive wildfires continue to grow throughout Idaho, more people have been forced out of their homes, as the flames move in. KTVB reports that On Monday afternoon, mandatory evacuations were issued in the town of Atlanta, and with around 70 homes in Atlanta, each property owner is worried about what's burning just a few miles to the north of town.

The town has been fighting the flames on its own for the last two days with Atlanta's seven volunteer firefighters, plus residents willing to help out. Atlanta Fire Chief Gene Haught says the fire spread from 2,000 acres to 8,000 acres Sunday night when the wind shifted directions, but he says the good news is that help is finally trickling in.

Even though mandatory evacuations are in place, Haught tells KTVB that he asked some people to stay and help protect the homes if necessary. Haught also says the other big concern is that the area between the fire and the town hasn't been burned in years, so firefighters are worried that if the flames reach the ridge, it could spread quickly to the structures in Atlanta.