Idaho In For Mega Fires That Create ‘Their Own Weather,’ Warns Governor

Idaho Gov. Brad Little warned Tuesday of the potential for multiple "mega-fires" in the state that can cause their own weather systems, and appealed to the public to help prevent them.

Wildfires are raging in the western United States as the region is hit by a devastating heat wave that has strained interstate power grids and brought record temperatures to several areas.

Most of Idaho is in drought and high temperatures that have hit the area forebode a challenging summer, with massive fires that can overwhelm the resources the state can throw at them.

In a press conference Tuesday, held amid the haze and smoke caused by fires in neighboring states, the Republican governor said he is concerned that there will be “big mega-fires that start creating their own weather,” The Hill reported.

Little cited the ongoing blazes across Oregon that have burned more than 200,000 acres so far.

The politician also said “Idaho has been fortunate” in avoiding fire seasons over the past few years, but that 2021 may be a different scenario as some parts of the state have experienced “extreme drought.”

At this point, Little said Idaho residents can help prevent potential fires by being careful to not initiate fires even unintentionally.

Idaho Fire Restrictions Finder here.

Little’s recent comments echoed those of Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller.

Miller said Idaho’s biggest challenge is the apparent inadequate resources to manage mega-fires. He added that the state does not have enough aircraft and fire management crews to work on ground sites.

“The biggest issue we face right now is extremely limited resources to manage these fires, including a lack of aircraft and crews on the ground," Miller said at the presser. "We typically tap into our shared resources during these times, but they have very limited availability due to fires in our neighboring states. The public can help by avoiding any outdoor activity that could spark a human-caused fire.”

Local broadcaster KIVI-TV reported on Sunday that the Cougar Rock Complex Fire located 30 miles north of Orofino has burned more than 2,000 acres so far.

The Cougar Rock Complex Fire includes approximately 12 smaller wildfires that have been contained at 5 percent.

The Leland Complex Fire in Latah County has burned approximately 1,000 acres and includes two wildfires that were triggered by lightning earlier last week.

The Mud Lick Fire in Lemhi County has burned more than 5,200 acres, while the Dixie-Jumbo Fires in Idaho County have burned more than 17,000 acres.

Finally, the Snake River Complex Fire in Nez Perce County has burned 88,299 acres as of Sunday and is a cluster of three wildfires located in steep terrain in the Craig Mountains. Evacuations have been ordered around the area.

Earlier on Tuesday, Gov. Little declared an emergency disaster issue that applies to all lands under the Idaho Department of Lands. The declaration will give authority to the Idaho National Guard to help in containing the fires.

Meanwhile, Oregon officials have raised alarms over the devastating Bootleg Fire that has burned more than 201,000 acres, CBS reported.

The Bootleg Fire, which started in Klamath County on July 6, has become the largest burning fire in the United States since the fire season started.

Officials are expecting the Oregon blaze to be fueled further by high winds and dry ground.