Firefighters Briefly Pulled from Boise, ID, Wildfire due to Unexploded Military Ordnance
The Idaho Statesman
(TNS)
Update ( July 13, 2026): At around 3:30 p.m., firefighters re-engaged the Claremont Fire outside of the hazardous areas, according to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
The original story is below:
Firefighters working on the Claremont Fire in a certain area of the Boise Foothills were moved from the burn area for a “tactical pause” after officials notified the U.S. Wildland Fire Service that unexploded military ordnance was more hazardous than previously believed.
According to a recent USWFS post online, the Army Corps of Engineers informed the agency that heat produced by the now-6,800-acre fire presented a high level of danger within the ordnance area. The fire encompassed portions of the Military Reserve in northeast Boise, an area that contains the unexploded ordnance.
Firefighters faced challenges working to fight the fire in that area. They were instructed to stay on the existing roads to keep crews and the public safe.
On Monday, USWFS stated in a Facebook post that it issued a stand-down of all firefighters working in the hazard zones of the Claremont Fire, effective immediately. Fire crews were being moved to a safe location, according to the USWFS.
“We are assessing our plans to ensure safe working conditions for all of the firefighters and keeping them informed on all new information and best safety practices,” the post stated.
In a fire update posted Monday morning, the USWFS estimated the fire at 6,805 acres based on an infrared flight conducted Sunday night. The fire is at 57% containment, the agency said, with the expected full containment date of Aug. 1.
The western area of the fire has “excellent containment” at this time, the agency said. Boise Ridge Road on the north and east of the fire continues to be a challenging area for responders, the update said, because of difficult terrain.
Wildland Fire also noted concerns over “gusty and erratic winds” that could accompany possible afternoon storms in the area. Winds can cause embers to move past containment lines and ignite new areas.
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