Firefighters battle wildfires

  • Published
  • By Airman Samantha S. DeVries
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho (ACCNS) --  Base firefighters here battled three wildfires sparked by lightning after a thunderstorm passed over Elmore County July 6.

The fires were among several blazes that scorched thousands of acres of open prairie across southern Idaho that evening.

Firefighters responded to an on-base fire near the Grandview Gate at approximately 5:30 p.m. Airmen also joined firefighters from Mountain Home and the Idaho Bureau of Land Management to battle blazes near the off-base shooting range and another near the base's south side.

None of the local fires threatened to destroy base facilities and didn't endanger those stationed here, said Christopher Curtis, base fire department assistant chief for training. The fire department's quick response greatly aided in controlling the fires.

"We actually had vehicles rolling before the first fire was even reported," Mr. Curtis said.

The fire south of the base burned approximately 5,000 acres while the Grandview Gate fire consumed about 500 acres and the one near the shooting range covered 300 acres.

As the state remains at an elevated fire risk following several weeks of high temperatures and little to no rain, firefighters will continue to remain ready to respond to any fire threatening the base.