Payette County brush fire was arson. Idaho fire marshal seeks information
The Idaho state fire marshal is seeking information from the public after determining that a fire on May 28 on the side of Interstate 84 in Payette County was set intentionally.
Payette County deputies and firefighters responded to reports of a brush fire in a farm field along westbound I-84 near milepost 15 at about 4:30 p.m. that day, according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Insurance.
After completing an investigation, State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl determined the fire to be arson, the release stated.
According to the release, initial 911 callers reported seeing flames coming from a pile of discarded drip tape, which is a kind of tubing used for irrigation. High winds that swept through the area that evening caused the blaze to spread rapidly into surrounding dry vegetation.
Sand Hollow Fire District firefighters responding to the scene found the burning drip tape piles and worked to separate them using a bulldozer. Thick, black smoke was visible for miles along the interstate, the release said.
Fire crews were able to contain the fire to fewer than 100 acres, and no structures were damaged, according to the fire marshal.
Investigators with the fire marshal’s office are seeking help from the public to identify motorists who were traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 15 shortly before the fire began. Sandahl says they want to hear from anyone who might have seen vehicles or “unusual activity” in the area.
“Even small details could help our investigators identify who is responsible. Arson is a serious crime, and intentionally setting a fire— especially in dry, windy conditions — can endanger lives, threaten property, and rapidly escalate into a major wildfire,” Sandahl said in the release. “We are committed to determining how this fire began and holding the responsible individuals accountable.”
The fire marshal encourages anyone with information to call the arson hotline at 1-877-75ARSON (27766).
This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 3:54 PM.
