UPDATE
All residents of Gate City who live north of the switchback on North Lincoln Street from the switchback in the vicinity of the City Creek trail system are required to leave right away, according to the Pocatello Police Department. The evacuation order should have been communicated to the local residents via a reverse 911 call.
At 3:35 p.m., the Pocatello Fire Department released an update on their Facebook page, stating that the fire on the west bench of Pocatello has spread to an area of approximately 800 to 1,000 acres. There is now no containment on the fire, which is advancing south.
Bureau of Land Management firefighting aircraft are en route to assist in the battle against the fire. Forest Service firemen are also helping, along with BLM and Chubbuck firefighters.
According to PFD spokesperson Kim Stouse, firefighters have observed a few drones flying near the fire, EastIdahoNews.com said.
“Drones flying low run the risk of getting mixed up with the engines and possibly bringing down an aircraft because whenever you have aircraft (fighting a fire), they will come low for a drop before they rise back up to refuel,” Stouse stated.
Since drones couldn’t help with firefighting, Stouse cautioned the public against using them in the area.
There were no reported casualties or damaged buildings at the time of the evacuation order.
The fire on Pocatello’s West Bench, near West Clark Street. | Courtesy photo
ORIGINAL STORY
POCATELLO Pocatello has reported a wildfire.
A city spokeswoman stated that the fire was initially reported on Thursday at 12:45 p.m. It was located on the West Bench, close to the Upper City Creek trailhead, off West Clark Street, according to Kim Stouse, a spokesman for the Pocatello Fire Department.
According to Stouse, the department does not yet know the exact number of acres, but as of 2:40 p.m., it is estimated to be approximately 50 acres.
There are now no evacuations since the slope is kind of burning up. We’re working hard to gain the upper hand and contain it as soon as possible, but that’s not to say there couldn’t be, Stouse added.
To make it easier for rescue vehicles to reach the fire scene, authorities are requesting that people stay away from the area.
Firefighters from the Bureau of Land Management and the Chubbuck Fire Department are now helping PFD control the fire.
Officers from Pocatello Police are present and will help with evacuations if necessary.
