Central Idaho wildfire grows to 3 square miles

IDAHO CITY, Idaho – A central Idaho wildfire burning in brush and timber more than doubled in size Friday to 3 square miles, and a national incident team has taken over management of the blaze.

Officials said the fire burning in steep and rocky terrain is about 5 miles north of Idaho City, and that no structures are in imminent danger.

About 320 firefighters supported by five helicopters were fighting the blaze that is 20 percent contained but burning in a remote area. More firefighters were being called in, but it’s unclear when the blaze might be brought under control.

Officials plan to hold a meeting Friday evening in Idaho City, mainly because the plume visible from the wildfire is dominating the sky. Officials, however, said the town wasn’t in immediate danger. The cause of the fire was undetermined.

“It looks very, very close, but it’s really miles away,” Blake said, noting the fire was also moving to the northeast and away from the town.

Some firefighters who had been assigned to a nearby fire burning to the west were being reassigned to the central Idaho blaze, she said.

That human-caused fire that has scorched about 7 square miles and destroyed a barn is 80 percent contained.