Three firefighters injured in central Idaho fire

BOISE – A 187-square-mile wildfire threatening an evacuated central Idaho community made no significant runs Saturday, but three firefighters were injured when a large log rolled down a steep embankment into a crew battling the blaze, fire officials said.

Two of the firefighters were transported to Boise for medical treatment. All three are members of the Bonneville Hotshots, fire officials said.

They’re among more than 1,200 firefighters assigned to the Trinity Ridge fire, which started Aug. 3 when a utility terrain vehicle caught fire. Fire spokesman Gary Lehnhausen said Saturday a burnout maneuver has so far been successful in reducing fuels between the blaze and the small town of Featherville, which was forced to evacuate a week ago.

The Trinity Ridge fire is 5 percent contained and has cost about $18.9 million to fight.

Meanwhile, the Halstead fire farther north grew about 4 square miles overnight to 157 square miles by Saturday morning. Officials said firefighters have been able to keep the blaze from spreading in that area.

On the Idaho-Montana border, an evacuation order remains in effect for residents who live near Spring Creek and Indian Creek where part of the 205-squre-mile Mustang complex of fires is burning.