KUNA, Idaho — A fast-moving wildfire south of Kuna that burned more than 2,400 acres has been contained, but the damage is still being felt at one local farm where dozens of pigs were killed after a barn caught fire.
The Mora Fire ignited shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday near Kuna Butte and spread rapidly through dry grass and sagebrush, fueled by strong winds. Fire managers said the fire grew to about 2,410 acres before crews stopped its forward progress.
For Flying Pig Farms, the wildfire destroyed one pig barn and killed 38 pigs.
Owner Logan Thornton said about 150 pigs were inside the barn when flames reached the property.
Watch to hear Thornton describe the dramatic scene shortly after the fire broke out —
"I came out when I saw the barn on fire," Thornton said. "I opened the gate to it, so we had pigs running around all over that got out."
He said changing winds pushed the flames directly toward the barn.
"The wind kind of took a shocking turn from the north and came screaming south, and one of our pig barns did catch fire," Thornton said.
Despite the loss, Thornton said he is grateful the fire did not destroy his family's home or more of the farm.
The wildfire burned roughly 2,500 acres in less than 12 hours before firefighters gained the upper hand.
Fire Information Officer Chad Klein said the fire burned under critically dry conditions.
"You know, we just wanted to remind people, you know, it is crucially dry out. Our fuel moistures are crucially dry," Klein said.
Klein said investigators believe the fire was likely caused by people, although the exact cause remains under investigation.
According to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the Mora Fire was mapped at 2,410.1 acres and was officially contained at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Fire managers expect the fire to be fully controlled by 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Fire officials remind anyone who spots a wildfire to call the Bureau of Land Management or 911 immediately.
