Small Town News
Fire on Ridge Road threatens structures
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CopyA fire that started near Ridge Road three miles east of Fruitvale on Thursday afternoon, eventually grew to 740 acres, and threatened 35 structures and 60 other outbuilldings.
The fire, the cause of which is unknown but thought to be of human origin, started around 4 pm on Thursday. Quick response from local officials and bombardments from aerial tankers and a helicopter slowed the spreading down consider ably by mid-evening. But serious wind gusts caused the fire to jump the line in several spots, and the fire began to grow in size and raced closer to residences and buildings.
Residents scrambled to protect their own property, with hoses, bull dozers and any other means they could think of. Meanwhile, firefighters continued battling the blaze, particularly from the sky, where repeated bucket drops, from water picked up on Commissioner Mike Paradis' property, tried to drown out the hottest spots and several planes created a barrier to the most vulnerable spots with slurry fire retardant.
In the end, none of the threatened structures were damaged.
"With firefighters and landowners' commitment and hard work, not a single structure was lost and the fire was kept from advancing on Forest Service and BLM lands," said Council Ranger Greg Lesch. "Many agencies, many resources and many hands made this all possible."
A total of 207 individuals along with 53 support staff members supported this fire. Along with Forest Service, BLM and Utah State resources, Forest Service Contractors including; dozers, operators and water tenders other resources included; private land owners, rural fire departments of Ontario, Indian Valley, Council, Midvale, New Plymouth Cambridge and New Meadows, City departments of Fruitvale and Payette, Adams County and Adams County Sheriffs personnel, Idaho Power personnel and Council EMS.
The North Ridge fire is 100 percent contained by Saturday and final mop up took place earlier this week when the fire was declared out.
Copyright 2010 The Adams County Record, Council, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2011 The Adams County Record Council, Idaho. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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