Tonight, becoming mostly clear with lows around 45. Thursday, sunny and highs around 80. Classes for Lincoln County School Dist. The favorable weather conditions were needed following a weekend where blazing infernos engulfed trees in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest along the upper Palisades Reservoir near Alpine. The event, complete with leaping flames and a massive plume of smoke, provided a front row seat to nature s fire activities for hundreds of area residents and tourists traveling through the area.
Officials believe the fire was initiated in by a hold-over lightning strike.
After the fire was first reported Saturday, crews associated with the Caribou-Targhee and Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center launched an attack with fire fighters and air support late in the day and throughout Sunday. They were joined by the volunteer fire fighters from departments in Alpine, Thayne, Afton, Teton Valley, Swan Valley and South Fremont. The Lincoln County Sheriff s Office, Bonneville County Sheriff s Office and Wyoming Highway Patrol closed roads and moved people away from the fire Saturday and Sunday. Summer homes in the McCoy Creek and Hoffman areas were evacuated as the fire threatened almost 40 structures. An Alpine crew and hot shot crew sprayed foam protection around one cabin before fleeing the advancing flames.