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Smoke filled the skies over Nampa this afternoon, but there was no reason to worry. The Nampa Fire Department set it to help firefighters hone their skills as we close-in on fire season. And to get rid of large amounts of dry grass and brush. In addition to the training for firefighters, the controlled burn is also part of Nampa's proactive approach. They worked on the area right below the Ridgecrest golf course. Once they lit the area with flares and fire the wind helped do the rest. The conditions are so dry it's almost like early summer.
"Here we are in March and it is that dry. Everything is dried out so, a lot of these fuels have been down for a while and there’s a lot of heavy fuels. They just haven't burned for a couple years, and that light stuff, cheat grass and that stuff catches, and boy, that stuff goes up in a hurry," said Nampa Fire Chief, Doug Strosnider.
Firefighters say people doing controlled burns have to watch out this time of year. The chief says first make sure you have a permit. Second, if it's too windy and it just doesn't look safe, don’t do it.
The other great advice if it gets out of control call 911. Let the firefighters get to it before it really gets out of control.