Pocatello Fire Dept. searches for kids who may have sparked blaze

Pocatello firefighters are asking for help finding a few kids they suspect of sparking a blaze on Monday.

Fire investigators heard reports of people who saw a few children walk into the ravine just five minutes before the fire started.

Investigators spent the day examining the burned area and said what they’ve discovered supports the idea of it being started by a couple of kids.

The fire near Satterfield Drive burned up more than 60 acres, scorching ground right up next to homes.

But the fire department said if it weren’t for a lucky wind change as the fire burned, a number of houses would almost certainly have been destroyed.

“Given the slope and the nearness of the trees, had the fire continued south or continued up this ridge, we would have lost homes,” Assistant Fire Chief Michael Williams said.

Fire investigators said two 11 to 12-year-old kids were seen walking into the ravine with BB gun and a barbecue lighter.

“So we expect they may have started something, and it may have gone out of control,” Williams said.

But the fire department doesn’t know who those kids are, and have started canvassing the neighborhood for anyone who might know.

“We all have to learn how to respect fire, and that it’s a tool and not a toy. But some kids don’t get that message early enough, and so things like this happen,” Williams said.

Firefighters are urging people to be extra-careful with fire this season because dry conditions have the potential to make for a very busy year for fighting fires.

“With the fairly dry winter we had and the mild spring, it looks like it’s going to be pretty active. It has the potential for being quite active this year.” Fire Prevention Captain Richard Nelson said.

The Pocatello Fire Department asks anyone who might know the information about the kids who may have started the fire to call Assistant Chief Willams at 234-7071 or 681-9617.