Idaho Fire Is Only Major Blaze Still Raging in West

Except for an 18,000-acre blaze near Boise, Ida., firefighters appeared to be nearing victory Friday over the lightning-sparked flames across the West that have resulted in one of the worst fire seasons on record.

About 3,000 firefighters struggled with the pesky Idaho blaze, 40 miles north of Boise, which was the only major fire still raging since lightning strikes at the start of August touched off conflagrations that have charred 737,000 acres in nine states.

Fire bosses began a demobilization affecting more than 18,000 firefighters from nearly every state.

The Interagency Fire Center said the forest and brush lands burned nationwide this year totaled 4,130 square miles, an area the size of Connecticut. Since the first fires broke out in the West on Aug. 2, they have charred 1,153 square miles, more than the size of Rhode Island.

Small fires were close to being put out or contained in Wyoming, Washington, Montana and California. Fires in Nevada, Colorado and Utah were declared controlled.

In Washington, a small but pesky blaze kept firefighters busy near the Idaho border Friday. The week-old Ace Creek blaze had been 85% contained at 300 acres before it suddenly spread Thursday to 565 acres.

In Oregon, officials reported 2,500 lightning strikes through the night and into Friday morning, but none apparently ignited major fires.

Bill Keil of the Bureau of Land Management in Portland said crews from two major fire sites in central Oregon have been removed and those fighting a fire in Wallowa-Whitman National Forest were predicting control Friday.

“Chances are the whole thing will be considered controlled,” said Don Dehart of the Forest Service.

In the Northwest’s last remaining major fire still out of control, officials said improving weather conditions would allow fire crews for the first time to directly attack the Idaho blaze.

Air inversions, wind, high temperature and high humidity had all eased, officials said.