Update: Roughly 4,500 acres of public land in Boise Foothills reopens after fire
The Bureau of Land Management on Saturday reopened the roughly 4,500 acres of land in the Boise Foothills that was closed Friday because of a nearby fire.
The Hulls Fire, which was located off of 8th Street in Hulls Gulch, was burning within the Ridge to Rivers Trail System roughly 3 miles northeast of Boise, according to a BLM news release. The one-acre fire was reported at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday.
Public land between 8th Street and Rocky Canyon Road reopened Saturday afternoon after the “risk of wildfire spread” from the Hulls Fire was eliminated, according to a BLM news release. The now reopened trails include Hulls Gulch National Recreation Trail, 8th Street Motorcycle Trail, Scotts Trail and Corrals Trail.
The fire was near the former Boise Army Barrack artillery range, which has “unexploded munitions.” Because of the ground disturbance and intense heat, the artillery could detonate, a news release said, calling it a “significant threat to the public and wildland firefighter safety.”
If a munition detonates, the shrapnel from it could travel up to a third of a mile in every direction, the department said. Tactics like retardant drops are expected to be used to minimize risk to firefighters.
The BLM is encouraging people to stay on existing roads and trails.
Idaho Statesman reporter Becca Savransky contributed.
This story was originally published July 7, 2023 at 5:32 PM.
