Traffic complicates fighting fire on U.S. 2
Photo by SCOTT GRAY A fire began on the side of U.S. 2 on July 26 and spread through brush and tinder to about an acre in size.
Photo by NORTH BENCH FIRE Curley Creek Fire, with mutual aid from North Bench Fire, tackled the fire before turning it over to IDL when they arrived.
Photo by NORTH BENCH FIRE The fire grew to about an acre in size before being contained.
BONNERS FERRY — A fire slowed traffic down on Highway 2, on Friday afternoon, July 26, but not as much as it should have.
Curley Creek Fire was called out for a wildland fire around 2:30 p.m., near milepost 79, with North Bench Fire responding as mutual aid. The Boundary County Sheriff’s Office and Boundary Ambulance also responded.
The fire originated alongside the highway, spreading into the brush and tinder. Although the cause is undetermined, Idaho Department of Lands Resource Supervisor and Fire Warden, Ken Homik, said it could have been caused by a number of different things, like dragging chains that may have set off sparks, or a cigarette thrown out a window.
“We are in high fire danger,” said Homik, noting how dry the area is currently.
For the safety of the first responders, the Sheriff’s Office and Boundary Ambulance established traffic control, closing the highway down to one lane. According to North Bench Fire Chief Gus Jackson, there were many cars that went through without slowing down, and one even went through without yielding, putting the first responders, who were working along the west side of the highway, at risk. That vehicle was stopped and asked to get back in line.
“People need to slow down and obey everyone doing traffic control,” said Jackson. “A special thank you to Lieutenant Bethke and Corporal Shuman for handling traffic.”
When Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) arrived, the scene was transferred to them.
“There was the potential for the fire to grow larger, but due to the quick response from Curley Creek and North Bench we were able to keep it to about an acre,” said Homik. “We are happy with that.”
IDL remained on the scene through the weekend, taking care of stumps and eliminating any hot spots.