OWYHEE COUNTY, Idaho (RFD News) — Wildfires continue to burn across the Northwest, with the Big Grass Fire causing significant damage to ranches in southwest Idaho.
The Idaho Farm Bureau reports the fire has grown to more than 300,000 acres, destroying structures and killing hundreds of cattle as ranchers work to move livestock and protect grazing land.
Volunteer members of local Rangeland Fire Protection Associations are helping battle the fires, while communities have donated food, water and other supplies to support firefighters and ranching families.
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said the impacts extend beyond the active fire zones, with dense smoke creating poor air quality and low visibility across much of the interior Northwest.
“Even in areas not directly affected by fire, there are concerns because we have seen a heavy pall of smoke has been hanging for days across the interior Northwest. Very poor air quality, dense smoke, low visibility issues, and other concerns related to the hazards with this wildfire smoke. Weeks away from being out of the wood, so to speak, with this wildfire situation, we will likely have to wait until the seasonal change and the rainfall that comes in with northwestern cold fronts before we can finally put to rest this incredibly active, dangerous and damaging wildfire season in the Northwest.”
Earlier this week, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said more than 19,000 firefighters were assigned to the fires. The U.S. Forest Service has nearly 6,000 personnel supporting more than 100 active wildfires nationwide.
