Update: Investigators say Table Rock fire was human-caused, possibly by fireworks

A grass fire that burned about a half-acre along Table Rock Road near Wildhorse Lane late Monday afternoon was human-caused, according to Boise Fire Department investigators, but they can’t say exactly how it started.

Fire officials found cigarette butts in the area and there were also reports of fireworks at the time of the blaze. They were unable rule either of those out as the cause, Boise Fire spokeswoman Char Jackson told the Statesman on Tuesday.

Firefighters were dispatched just after 5 p.m. Monday. An emergency dispatcher told the Statesman that the fire was at first only about 10 feet wide by 10 feet long just below the cross. No structures were threatened.

In 2016, a 19-year-old who was playing with fireworks at Table Rock sparked a blaze that burned 2,500 acres, destroyed one man’s house and belongings, and threatened dozens of other homes. Taylor Kemp was sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay $391,790 in restitution.

KBOI-Channel 2 reported Monday that the amount Kemp owes was reduced last month to $346,000, and he has so far paid a total of $412.50.

This story was originally published July 1, 2019 at 5:25 PM.