Michaud Creek Fire mapped at 72 acres
POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI/KIDK) - UPDATE 6:00 p.m. Firefighters expect to contain the Michaud Creek Fire by 10:00 p.m. Tuesday.
It is now mapped at 72 acres.
“This area is primed to burn,” said Shane McCracken, BLM Incident Commander. “We were very fortunate to have resources that could respond quickly before the fire grew significantly.”
Crews from Fort Hall, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest all responded to the incident.
After the forward progression of the fire was halted, firefighters were able to obtain a more accurate acreage, mapping the fire at 72 acres.
Crews will continue to secure the right and left flanks (perimeter) of the fire and bolster dozer lines. The helicopter finished its bucket work this afternoon and will remain on standby should it be needed Wednesday.
Crews will remain on scene Tuesday and Wednesday to continue mopping up hot spots near the containment lines. Interior smoke may be visible as juniper continues to burn in the fire’s interior.
Fire danger is very high in the fine, flashy fuels on BLM-managed lands and high on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. With such extreme conditions on the ground, any ignition source could result in a wildland fire.
UPDATE 3:00 p.m. The Michaud Creek Fire was reported around 10:00 a.m. Tuesday approximately three miles south of the Pocatello Regional Airport in the Michaud Creek area.
The Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center reports it is estimated at 100 acres and is zero percent contained.
The fire is actively burning in grass, brush and juniper.
Smoke is visible from Pocatello.
Dozer line is completed along a large portion of the fire.
Heavy retardant is holding the north perimeter of the fire while firefighters and dozers continue to build line in the rugged terrain.
The cause is under investigation.
ORIGINAL: Bureau of Land Management crews are responding to the Michaud Creek Fire Tuesday.
It is about three miles south of the Pocatello Airport.
The fire is estimated to be 25 acres in size.
Multiple engines and air support are on scene.
Crews are responding to the #MichaudCreek Fire app. 3 miles south of the #Pocatello airport. Fire is estimated to be 25 acres in size. Numerous engines and air support are on scene. #BLMIFDFire #CTNFFire pic.twitter.com/w00I1MpewA
— Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fire (@BLMIdahoFire) August 18, 2020
