Pocatello, Idaho. There was a lot of lightning early this morning 2 – 6AM. Now there is a rapidly growing fire (see photo) north of Pocatello Creek on the southern boundary of the Indian Reservation burning in sagebrush, grass, some thick juniper and aspen. It has spread rapidly. It has been named the 2 1/2 Mile road fire. Air tankers are now hitting it and seem to be stopping its spread to the south — towards houses. Update on 8/22. The fire is nearing control, but there is worry about the west side which is in rugged territory. About 40 homes were potentially threatened, but fire retardant drops stopped the fire miles from the homes although the fire’s path was toward them.
On the other side of valley, there is a fire in the Arbon Valley area. Most of the fire fighting resources seem to be devoted to it because it is threatening rural homes in Power County. Homes have been evacuated. Update: this fire is now under control, but a flare up with afternoon winds (on 8/22) is possible. It is named “The Garden Fire.” It burned over 1700 acres.
The fire north of Pocatello Creek. This has been named the 2 1/2 mile fire.Taken from Pocatello's West Bench about 3:10 PM, Aug. 21. Copyright Ralph Maughan
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan's Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of "Hiking Idaho." He also wrote "Beyond the Tetons" and "Backpacking Wyoming's Teton and Washakie Wilderness." He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
