100-Acre Wildfire Contained in Ammon Foothills

UPDATE: Thursday, July 2nd

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire crews from local, state, and federal agencies successfully contained a fast-moving, wind-driven wildfire in the foothills southeast of Ammon on Wednesday afternoon. While emergency personnel are finishing up operations around the perimeter, law enforcement and fire officials warn that the region is still not out of the woods yet.

The blaze began around 2:00 p.m. on July 1st in the Henry Creek area near Packbridge Lane, and burned around 100 acres of brush and grass. Fortunately, officials confirmed that no structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

According to Hayli Egbert, Public Information Officer for the Idaho Falls Fire Department, IFFD was first to arrive on the scene. Battalion Chief 1 established command as firefighters began an aggressive fire attack. As additional resources arrived, IFFD transitioned into a unified command alongside Bonneville County Fire District No. 1 and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Despite challenging, wind-driven conditions, Egbert says firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire through a coordinated response.

"The successful containment of the fire was made possible through the efforts of local, state and federal firefighting partners, whose rapid response prevented further spread despite difficult fire conditions," stated Egbert.

Crews stayed on-scene through the night to extinguish hot spots and prevent any rekindling. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation by a BLM fire investigator.

UPDATE:

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire crews from multiple agencies have successfully contained a nearly 30-acre wildfire in the foothills southeast of Ammon. While emergency personnel are finishing up operations around the perimeter, law enforcement and fire officials warn that the region is still not out of the woods yet.

Sgt. Lovell of the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office stresses that fire danger in the area is still very high despite recent rainstorms, as proven by today's incident.

" With the 4th of July approaching and throughout the summer, Emergency Personnel stress the importance of being safe with fireworks and avoid lighting them anywhere close to open fields, dry grasses, or uninhabited areas," stated Lovell in a news release. " Always have water and extinguishing equipment nearby, and place used fireworks in a bucket of water before discarding them."

Fortunately, officials confirmed that no structures were damaged and no injuries were reported.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office also extended its thanks to the public for cooperating and avoided the area during the height of the firefighting efforts.

ORIGINAL:

AMMON, Idaho — Local emergency crews are currently on the scene of a grass fire burning in the foothills southeast of Ammon. While the immediate threat to nearby homes is currently limited, law enforcement stresses that unnecessary traffic is hindering firefighting efforts.

Multiple units are currently on the scene. According to Hayli Egbert, Public Information Officer for the Idaho Falls Fire Department (IFFD), an IFFD Battalion Chief is in command as their crews work with the Bonneville County Fire District and BLM to combat the blaze.

"Crews are getting a handle on the fire, and there are units positioned for structure protection as a precaution," said Egbert.

According to the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office, a large plume of smoke visible across the region has attracted a significant amount of unnecessary traffic, blocking narrow roads and preventing large fire apparatus from accessing the area of the blaze.

In a press release, Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office directed anyone "who doesn’t need to be in the area of 65th S. and Highwillow Ln./Packbridge Ln. and East of 45th E at Ledgerock Drive (Upper Southeast area of Comore Loma Subdivision)" to avoid the area to prevent operations from being hindered. 

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.