BOISE, Idaho — This Independence Day was no night off for many firefighters around the Treasure Valley.
The Boise Fire Department said Wednesday that fireworks started a brush fire that burned about an acre between two subdivisions off of Columbia Road. The fire, which broke out Tuesday night, was quickly spreading through sagebrush and threatening nearby homes. However, the fire department said, "an aggressive attack" kept the fire from reaching any of those homes. No injuries were reported.
A spokesperson for the Boise Fire Department provided preliminary numbers indicating that crews with the department responded to 117 emergency calls, including 25 fire-related calls, on Tuesday. Captains' reports with more specific details were still being completed early Wednesday afternoon, but this year's Fourth of July call count was significantly higher compared to July 4, 2022, when Boise Fire crews responded to 99 emergency calls, including 14 fire-related calls.
A KTVB crew heading back to Boise from a Fourth of July celebration in Star spotted a grass fire late Tuesday night near Highway 16 and State Street between Star and Eagle. Firefighters had the fire out shortly after 11 p.m. KTVB is working to get more information about the size and the cause of that fire.
A spokesperson for the City of Caldwell also said the Caldwell Fire Department responded to a total of 17 outdoor fires, four vehicle fires and 67 emergency medical calls between 8 a.m. on June 30 and 8 a.m. July 5. Eight of the outdoor fires occurred July 4, and most were fireworks-related, according to the department.
Caldwell firefighters also responded to a fire just after 1 a.m. Wednesday, July 5, on South 41st Avenue. It destroyed a motorhome, shed and car, and took the life of a dog. The Caldwell Fire Department said the cause was fireworks-related.
Caldwell Police officers were first to arrive at the scene of that fire and began searching for victims. Officers found two men trying to help a woman away from the home after they escaped the fire. According to the fire department, the officers had to tear down a large fence and metal gate to access the group, and were then able to carry the woman to safety before firefighters arrived.
The Nampa Fire Department responded to a total of 17 fires related to fireworks on Tuesday and Wednesday. The department also responded to five fireworks-related fireworks on Monday, July 3. The Nampa Fire Marshal, Deputy Chief Ron Johnson, said the fires were mostly in brush, grass and bushes.
"One interesting statistic of note is seven dumpster fires," Johnson said in an email to KTVB. "We are assuming people were trying to safely light fireworks in large parking lots, but then disposed of the fireworks in the onsite dumpsters without soaking them in water first."
The Meridian Fire Department responded to five fires Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for the city said three of the fires were in vegetation, two were in trash bins, and none of them damaged any residential or business buildings or other structures.
The Meridian Fire Department is offering to dispose of any unused fireworks, which may be dropped off at any Meridian Fire station. The fire department warns that people not put unused fireworks in water, as that can make them unstable. However, used fireworks should be placed in a bucket of water to soak overnight.
While fireworks may not be the cause of every fire that broke out on the Fourth of July, firefighting agencies have been reminding people to be cautious with fireworks and follow applicable laws designed to protect people, property and natural resources. Among those laws: Fireworks are prohibited on all public lands.
Fireworks also caused some animals to run away from their homes. As of Wednesday afternoon, the Idaho Humane Society had 10 stray dogs, which is down compared to previous years.
“In the years past, it would not be uncommon to see anywhere from 20 to 35 dogs coming in,” Idaho Humane Society spokesperson Kristine Schellhaas said. “But it's also a Tuesday so, our pet owners are either staying home with their pets, or they're really setting their pets up for success. A lot of owners that know their pets are scared, they might have had an early indicator of a loud fire alarm, lightning. You can get vests for your pet, you can get medication from your veterinarian, that helps calm them.”
West Valley Humane Society began receiving animals on Monday and as of Wednesday afternoon, they received 36 dogs and cats total.
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