TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX) – Several agencies, including the Twin Falls District of the Bureau of Land Management, responded to a lightning-caused fire that started Wednesday night near Carey.

The wildfire was reported at 6:48 p.m. Gusty winds caused erratic fire behavior, but once the thunderstorm passed the wind-driven fire slowed and firefighters were able to use the lava rock as a natural barrier to assist in the firefighting efforts, according to the BLM. On Thursday morning the blaze was reported at 3,000 acres.

Firefighters worked through the night to slow the fire’s growth and will spend today improving containment lines and seeking hot spots, says Incident Commander Clay Stephens.

Expected containment time of the Paddleford Fire is noon today. He expects crews will have the fire controlled by 6 p.m. Friday.

The Carey Rural Fire Department, along with six engines, two dozers, one water tender and three air tankers from the Twin Falls District BLM and Sawtooth National Forest responded to the fire.

 

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