Idaho wildfire grows, prompts evacuations, smoke impacts Montana
MISSOULA, Mont. — Overnight flight data shows that a fire burning near Dixie, Idaho has grown to more than 7,000 acres. On Tuesday the fire prompted evacuations, and sent out smoke that drifted as far away as Bozeman, Billings and Wyoming.
The fire is located 65 miles southwest of Darby.
Authorities evacuated the areas of Dixie and Comstock on Tuesday.
“Multiple helicopters and large retardant tankers worked on the fire from time of detection to the very last possible minute of daylight yesterday during initial attack,” said Jim Wimer, Public Affairs Specialist for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests in a press release.
The fire was first detected July 5. While its cause is unconfirmed, officials believe the fire likely started from lightning.
