Boise Foothills grass fire was human-caused, investigators say. Here’s what we know
Investigators from the Boise Fire Department determined that the grass fire in the Boise Foothills that began blazing Sunday night was human-caused, spokesperson Lynsey Amundson told the Idaho Statesman by email.
Amundson said authorities are still investigating the fire, however.
Crews from the Boise and Eagle fire departments responded to the blaze, which began in the 7400 block of Pierce Park Lane just before 8 p.m Sunday, according to a tweet from Boise fire. The Bureau of Land Management assisted, Amundson said.
By 9:30 p.m., crews had the fire “surrounded” and it was burning “within their control lines,” according to a tweet that showed video of the work. The fire was contained and controlled by morning.
Amundson said officials didn’t yet know whether the fire was set deliberately, and she didn’t have additional information on the cause. No civilians or firefighters were reported injured.
A 7:55 a.m. Monday tweet from the Boise Fire Department said the fire was 100% contained. Amundson said by email that one crew from Boise Fire Engine 4 was staying at the scene until Monday afternoon to make sure “nothing flares back up.”
Just a few days ago, a total of nine fires engulfed roughly 60 acres of land throughout the Boise area. The Ada County Sheriff’s Office said it believes some of the fires may have been set intentionally.
The fire Sunday night burned more than 5 acres, officials said. Bureau of Land Management spokesperson Caleb Ashby told the Statesman by email that it was private land, but the bureau responded because of the proximity to federal lands. He said there were no habitat issues.
Residents within a half-mile of the fire were notified via the Code Red system from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, but no structures were threatened, Boise fire said. Hikers and bikers were told to avoid the area.
Amundson said no trails were burned, but there was a trail that the fire bumped up against.
This story was originally published August 8, 2022 at 12:25 PM.
