Idaho Wildflire Explodes, Cattle Killed, Cabins Burn

Aug. 11--FAIRFIELD -- The fires burning north of Fairfield had destroyed more than 32,000 acres, killed at least 100 head of cattle and damaged cabins Saturday, quickly transforming into terrifying displays of Mother Nature's power and awe.

Three apocalyptic plumes of smoke surrounded the Camas County prairie, rising as high as 20,000 feet and blanketing the land. The thick, relentless smoke had settled into lungs, skin and clothing.

The Beaver Creek Complex Fire first started off as two wildfires. Both ignited Wednesday evening after six lighting strikes landed on the dry and plentiful fire fuel.

Originally, fire crews focused on the McCan Fire because it appeared to be bigger and more active than the Beaver Creek blaze burning softly in the distance. Yet with a switch of the wind and drop in humidity, the two fires quickly ballooned from 5,000 to 32,000 acres and growing, with the Beaver Creek Fire taking the lead in destruction.

Burning just northeast of Fairfield, the Beaver Creek Fire made an 8-mile run Friday. Moving into lower elevations, the fire is feeding on timber that has not been exposed to fire over the past 100 years.

The Blaine County Sheriff's Office spent Saturday alerting Deer Creek residents to prepare for a possible evacuation.

"We are very concerned about the fires' potential," said Jesse Bender, spokeswoman with the U.S. Forest Service.

Flames that were thought to have been contained broke through fire lines and jumped roads Friday, fire crews explained. Within hours, the valley was once more alive with heat and flames. Ranchers flocked to their discs to create fire lines on their private property while fire crews called for more resources.

By Friday afternoon, a Type 2 management team -- consisting of highly trained and experienced fire crews -- had taken over command of the fire. More than 550 personnel were working to suppress the flames Saturday.

As the fire leaped across sagebrush, an unsuspecting herd of cattle had no chance to escape the flames' reach and succumbed to the fire.

"It was awful," said Chris Simonsen, fire management officer with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, who was there when the fire collided with the cattle. "The fire was moving too fast, and there was no way for them to get out."

On the northwest side of the McCan Fire, flames came within a few feet of homes and ranch land.

Rancher Chuck Wells was up until 1 a.m. Saturday, using his disc around his fences to build a defense against the flames.

"I started with my riding lawnmower to cut back the grass, but I saw the fire was getting closer and closer to my place," he said. "That's when I hopped on the disc."

Back in town, ranchers and homeowners trickled into The Wrangler for a quick bite while trading tidbits of information of what they knew about the fire's activity.

"You know whose cattle it was who died?" asked a rancher, grabbing tater tots and a burger.

"Yeah, it was right up Soldier Mountain Road," replied another in dark sunglasses and Wranglers. "Don't know how many houses burned."

Stepping outside the burger joint, it was difficult to discern which smoke belonged to what fire. The smoke from the Beaver Creek Complex was intermingling with the plumes from the 52,000-acre Pony Complex fire near Mountain Home.

"This smoke really shows the power these fires can bring," Bender said. "It's incredible."

Copyright 2013 - The Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho