Firefighters Keep Busy with Martin Canyon Blaze
BELLEVUE, Idaho (KLIX) – Fire crews are keeping busy with blazes at a couple of sites in the region, at least one of them caused by human activity.
The Martin Canyon Fire, located about 3 miles east of Bellevue and was caused by target shooting in the area, estimated at 2,500 acres. The fire’s activity is deemed “moderate,” according to the Bureau of Land Management.
Due to steep terrain and difficult access, the east flank of the fire is experiencing uphill runs. Firefighters are working with aircraft to establish a fire line before todays expected thunderstorms.
Access to the Muldoon Canyon Road is being restricted and the area is closed to recreation and camping. Please do your part to prevent human caused wildfires by restricting target practice to within approved ranges and remember to always clear the area around your target before taking aim.
Structures are in the area, according to the BLM, but none of them are currently threatened by the blaze that is burning in grass, mountain shrub, Douglas fir and aspen.
Resources being used to fight the fire include four Twin Falls District BLM engines, two Sawtooth National Forest engines, two dozers, one water tender, four type two hand crews, four type one hand crews, one camp crew and eight overhead.
The BLM says it currently does not have an estimated time of containment or control.
Firefighters were able to get a handle on the Cottonwood Fire, about 14 miles north of Shoshone that is being fought by five engines and one dozer. Crews were able to contain the blaze about 9 p.m. Sunday, and expect to have the fire controlled by about 4 p.m. today.
No structures are threatened by this fire that burned about 192 acres in grass and sagebrush, and although the cause has not been determined the agency reminds people that “per the Fire Prevention Order, the following acts are restricted on all public lands managed by the BLM within the State of Idaho:
- Discharging, using, or possessing fireworks.
- Discharging a firearm using incendiary, steel core, or tracer ammunition.
- Burning, igniting or causing to burn explosive material including exploding targets.
- Additional restrictions may be enacted based upon future fuel and weather conditions.