Chinese Peak Fire was human-caused
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) -UPDATE: The Chinese Peak Fire, located one mile south of Pocatello, contained at 1,546 acres at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The fire perimeter has been secured, but the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center said heat still remains within the interior fire perimeter.
In all, 5 BLM and Forest Service Engines, 2 BLM dozers, and 5 handcrews were assigned to the fire, along with engines from the Pocatello, Chubbuck, Inkom, North Bannock and Pocatello Valley Fire Departments.
No structures are currently threatened and there are no evacuations. Road closures were still in effect along Barton Road to Chinese Peak.
Two hand crews and two engines were assigned to remain on the fire over the next few days.
The fire started in the area of Stockman Road.
Original Stories:
The Pocatello Fire Department, with the assistance of the Idaho Falls District Bureau of Land Management, has determined the Chinese Peak Fire was human-caused and accidental.
The fire started in the area of Stockman Road when a resident was working on his car with a grinder. A spark landed in the dry brush and subsequently started the fire.
On Sunday at 2:44 p.m., the Pocatello Fire Department was dispatched to a wildland fire in the area of Stockman Road. When crews arrived on scene, they discovered the fire was rapidly growing, and the Battalion Chief initiated the Gateway Interagency Fire Front (GIFF) agreement.
The Chinese Peak Fire has burned approximately 1,540 acres and is 50% contained.
BLM anticipates full containment by 7 p.m. Tuesday.
No structures have been lost in this fire.
GIFF was formed in the late 1980s as a means of facilitating a coordinated response to wildland fires in and around Pocatello. Current members include fire departments from Pocatello, North Bannock County, Pocatello Valley, Chubbuck, Fort Hall, East Power County, and Inkom, along with the Idaho Falls District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest Service. Multiple agencies sent resources to assist fighting this fire as part of this agreement.
