Crews stop fire from burning S. Idaho sage grouse habitat

A 3-square-mile wildfire burned through important sage grouse habitat in south-central Idaho but nine aircraft and a local fire protection association stopped it from reaching the bird’s primary habitat.

Fire managers say the lightning-caused fire about 12 miles north of Glenns Ferry will likely be out Thursday evening.

The sage brush habitat that burned is in an area between two wildfires from previous years.

U.S. Bureau of Land Management dispatcher Mark Rich says crews stopped the fire from climbing Bennett Mountain where critical habitat exists for the bird that’s being considered for federal protections.

Elsewhere in Idaho, three fires in the Boise National Forest had minor activity Wednesday night.

In northern Idaho, about 250 firefighters are battling a 250-acre blaze in timber near Bayview that started Tuesday.