Fire Burns 120 Acres Near Howe

Highway 33 was closed on Monday when a brush fire started early afternoon.

The highway was closed for nearly 2 hours because the fire was burning on both sides of the road.

The INL said the fire burned approximately 120 acres, 35 acres on INL land, the rest is on BLM land near the Howe Peak area.

It burned grass and sagebrush on both sides of Highway 33 near Mile Marker 9.

Officials said air tankers dropped retardant on the fire. They also said Rocky Mountain Power is working on fixing two poles that were damaged by fire.

Two bulldozers built a fire line to contain the hot spots.

Officials said the cause of the fire is unknown and is under investigation.

No buildings were threatened and INL officials said there was no known radiological hazard to the public.