ADA COUNTY, Idaho — The Bureau of Land Management closed public lands and roads near Pleasant Valley Road as crews work to contain the Range Fire, which has burned just under 27,000 acres since Thursday night.
Officials say the fire began when explosive ordnance disposal teams from Mountain Home Air Force Base detonated an unexploded device at the request of local law enforcement. Fire crews were standing by but had to wait for the disposal team to declare the site clear before moving in. During that pause, strong winds fanned the area and ignited the fire.
Once cleared, Orchard Fire & Emergency Services deployed 23 firefighters and two dispatchers to the scene for fire attack, water transport, and to evaluate crew members from a Union Pacific train stranded by the fire.
Two Security Operations personnel also helped evacuate the nearby barracks and provided traffic control.
The BLM closure near Pleasant Valley Road began at 10 a.m. Friday and includes land between Pleasant Valley and Kuna Mora Roads, south to the Orchard Combat Training Center border and east to Interstate 84. It's expected to remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Fire officials say forward progression of the fire has stopped, but crews continue reinforcing containment lines and mopping up hot spots.
Evacuation notices for nearby neighborhoods were lifted Thursday morning. Pleasant Valley Road remains open to local traffic only.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
