BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A fast-spreading grass and brush fire in southwest Idaho ballooned to 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) in less than a day as airplanes and helicopters tried to slow its advance.
Fire spokeswoman Kelsey Brizendine said aircraft and heavy equipment on Wednesday were attempting to get a line around the fire that’s burning about 12 miles (19 kilometers) northwest of Murphy Hot Springs.
The fire in the sparsely populated area started Tuesday afternoon when a lightning storm moved through. Brizendine said more firefighters are being called in.
“It’s a long way out there and there are a lot of dry fuels,” Brizendine said. “It’s going to take a lot of coordination with aircraft and heavy equipment to get around it.”
She said the fire is burning in habitat for sage grouse, an imperiled species that relies on sage brush to survive.
In west-central Idaho, a wildfire near the small community of Pollock grew to 4 square miles (10 square kilometers) Wednesday, and some area residents have been told to be ready to evacuate.
The wildfire is burning timber and grass in rugged terrain about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Riggins on the west side of U.S. Route 95.
Officials say the road remains open but traffic control measures are in place, and smoke could limit visibility for motorists. Motorists are asked not to stop along the road in the area.
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