IDAHO — Firefighters are continuing to respond to multiple lightning-sparked fires burning in Southern Idaho.
The Flint Fire southeast of Jordan Valley is estimated at approximately 6,000 to 8,000 acres Tuesday morning, according to Owyhee County Sheriff Larry Kendrick.
Kendrick said command of the fire will likely be rolled into the Big Grass Fire incident command Tuesday. The Flint Fire currently has its own incident command.
Nearby, crews are also battling the Battle Fire near Riddle, which remains uncontained. The fire has reportedly destroyed a Riddle Ranch employee residence, a bunkhouse and several other non-residential structures.
Evacuations remain in place in the areas surrounding the fires:
- Level 3, GO NOW:
- Triangle, including the town of Triangle
- All of Riddle
- Flint Creek Road North to Dewey Peak
- East to Black Warrior Mountain
- East to Bachman grade and Milt Road
- Southeast to Oriental cutoff and Mud Flat Road
- Southwest on Mud Flat Road to Antelope Ridge Road
- Connection to the Zone from Big Grass Fire
- Level 2, GET SET:
- Trout Creek from Pleasant Valley to Silver City
- East to Bates Creek Road
- South to Joyce Ranch Road
Map of closure area:
Kendrick said a deputy is stationed in Silver City Tuesday, with additional deputies and posse members ready to assist if an evacuation becomes necessary.
Another lightning storm is expected to move into the area around 2 p.m. Tuesday and last until approximately 8 p.m. Kendrick warned the storm could bring conditions similar to Monday and urged people in the area to plan accordingly.
There have been no reported injuries or deaths connected to the new fires or the Big Grass Fire, according to Kendrick.
The Owyhee County Sheriff's Office is asking hunters, recreationists and off-highway vehicle users to stay out of burn areas and evacuation zones. Officials said unauthorized people in those areas could hamper firefighting efforts or evacuations.
Idaho News 6 will update this story as more information becomes available.
