Wildfire near Mountain Home destroys 6 homes

Tue., June 19, 2012

Associated Press

Colorado wildfire now 50 percent contained

Wildfires across the West drove hundreds of people from their homes from California to Colorado, where nuns living in a monastery and Boy Scouts at camp were among those forced to flee ahead of the flames.
Firefighters are making progress on a 92 square-mile wildfire in northern Colorado despite hot, dry weather. The blaze west of Fort Collins was 50 percent contained today after firefighters labored in temperatures in the 90s to extend lines around the blaze the day before. Expected strong winds didn’t materialize Monday, but breezy conditions were forecast Tuesday along with more hot weather. Other wildfires were burning in warm, arid weather from Wyoming to Arizona to Southern California, where a blaze that prompted the evacuation of at least 150 homes was 30 percent contained Monday.

Across the West: — In California, nearly 500 personnel have been dispatched to fight the fire east of Campo, in San Diego County. Water-dropping helicopters doused the area Monday, and firefighters braced for temperatures to rise and winds to pick up speed. Still, fire officials expected the blaze to be fully contained Tuesday night.
— In Wyoming, a grass fire destroyed four homes in a small community outside Casper on Sunday, but no one was injured. Another wildfire discovered Sunday in the Medicine Bow National Forest grew to more than 3 square miles Monday amid wind gusts up to 40 mph. Some residents have been advised to evacuate.
— In Nevada, crews were fighting a 34-square-mile fire north of Ely that has burned a mobile home. A brush fire destroyed one home and seriously damaged another north of Reno, only a few miles from where a separate brush fire destroyed two mobile homes and several vehicles the day before. Several residences were evacuated and a plume of smoke was visible across town when a fire was reported on the east side of Sun Valley shortly before 4 p.m. Monday. The Reno Gazette-Journal reported at least three homes suffered some damage, including one that was destroyed.
— In New Mexico, firefighters were taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to battle a wildfire that has destroyed 242 homes and businesses. More than 1,100 firefighters remained in Ruidoso as they fight to hold the Little Bear Fire that is now 60 percent contained. Another fire broke out Monday and burned four structures along a 5-mile stretch of the San Juan River in far northwestern New Mexico. Another fire in the Gila Wilderness, already the largest in state history, grew another 1,000 acres to 463 square miles and is 80 percent contained.
— In Arizona, firefighters were focusing on protecting electrical transmission lines near a 3,100-acre blaze on the Tonto National Forest in northern Arizona. Officials said hot weather and steep slopes remain a concern, and firefighters are on the alert for thunderstorms and possible lightning strikes.
— In Utah, a 208-acre blaze on the west side of Lake Mountain was fully contained Monday morning, officials said. The fire started Saturday and was human-caused. No structures are threatened.
— In northwest Nebraska, firefighters were attacking a wildfire reported Sunday that has blackened roughly 1,500 to 2,000 acres. No injuries have been reported, and there have been no reports of buildings being burned, authorities said Monday.

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho — Authorities say a fast-moving wildfire near Mountain Home burned down six homes and destroyed several outbuildings. Elmore County Sheriff Rick Layher says the fire was reported at 7:30 p.m. Monday and was fueled by wind gusts of up to 48 mph. Bureau of Land Management spokeswoman Mallory Eils says 25 to 30 homes in the area were evacuated. No injuries were reported. Layher says he was worried that strong winds would carry the fire toward more homes, but he says firefighters and the BLM quickly got the blaze under control. It burned about 150 acres. The cause of the fire is unknown. Southwest Idaho was under a red flag warning Sunday and Monday because of high temperatures, low humidity and high winds — conditions conducive to explosive and destructive fires.

Wildfire near Mountain Home destroys 6 homes

Judge rules Bryan Kohberger’s defense team can continue juror survey in murder case

‘Angered and heartbroken’: Ada County sheriff’s deputy dies after being shot in Boise

20-year-old Post Falls man sentenced to prison for shooting two people at CdA party