17 New Fires Reported Tonight

Boise National Forest Public Information Officer, Dave Olson, says thirteen new fires to date this evening (Aug 8) have been reported across the Boise National Forest, as the result of lightning late today.

Brian Harris, Payette National Forest, adds that the Payette National Forest has picked up four new fire starts so far: Two on the Krassel Ranger District east of McCall, one on the McCall Ranger District north of McCall on Granite Mountain, and one on their Weiser Ranger District. He says, "We do expect to pick up additional starts as well."

Contact Brian Harris, Payette National Forest, 208-634-6945.

The fires are all currently small, less than one acre, and the majority have been staffed with a combination of smokejumpers, helitack firefighters, fire crews, and engines. Staffing is on-going this evening.

They are scattered, but there are higher concentrations of fires east of Garden Valley, and east of Deadwood Reservoir.

There are no structure threats at this time.

Due to the dry conditions and abundant lightning, additional starts are anticipated, but there are still on-forest fire resources to attack any new starts.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect, which prohibits campfires except in a designated campground.

The goal of the restrictions is to prevent person caused fires, which would take resources that are needed for the current lightning bust. In addition, reduction of person caused fires reduces fire fighter risks and exposure.

Additional aerial detection flights will be flown tomorrow to search for new holdover fires, and fire lookouts will be on alert for new starts.