BOISE NATIONAL FOREST — The Boise National Forest has declared a prescribed burn that was originally ignited on April 24 a wildfire, as the fire sends smoke into the town of Crouch and threatens to grow outside the project boundary.
The Lodgepole Fire has grown to about 1,600 acres and is 75 percent contained. It is located about 14 miles north of Crouch along National Forest System Road 671.
"By declaring it a wildfire we have more resources at our disposal and we have more options tactically with how we can fight the fire and keep it in that project boundary," said Michael Williamson, Boise National Forest Spokesman. "We're coming up on the peak of fire season on the Boise National Forest and our utmost concern was keeping it in that boundary."
Those additional resources include more aerial support.
"We've had several hot shot crews on the fire, we have three helicopters working the fire right now and my understanding is that a few more fire engines will be showing up on scene today," said Williamson.
"We have been actively engaged in fighting this fire for about two weeks now with all of the resources at our disposal, but with the anticipated future weather, difficult terrain, and challenges obtaining additional firefighting resources, I have decided to declare this prescribed burn a wildfire," said Emmett District Ranger Richard Newton. "We regret the smoke impacts that the citizens of Crouch have had to deal with. It certainly was not our intent to have smoke lingering this long. And that is part of why we are moving forward and being more aggressive in putting it out."
There are around 130 firefighters are on the ground rotating shifts, receiving support from three helicopters to fight the Lodgepole Fire.
While it is common to set prescribed burns in certain areas of the forest, officials weren't expecting it to last this long.
"Those smokes that maybe weren't anything at all, with the summer conditions were having now, what fuel hasn't burned out was starting to catch and allow the fire to creep along and find other isolated pockets of unburned fuel," said Williamson.
Two temporary spur road closures near the fire are in effect: NFS 671B1 and 671A. An area closure may be placed in the near future within the fire perimeter for public and firefighter safety.
Drivers are asked to be mindful of firefighting traffic on NFS 671, the road to Silver Creek Plunge.
Silver Creek Plunge and campgrounds in the area remain open.
More information is on the Boise National Forest Facebook page.