Officials on the Trinity Ridge Fire are about to get some help from the Idaho National Guard. The Guard has been activated to help with Idaho wildfires because of a disaster declaration issued by Governor Butch Otter. The Idaho Emergency Operations Center is sending Guard members to the fire which is near Pine and Featherville.
Eighty National Guard members will staff 20 checkpoints in the area, 24 hours a day. The teams will consist of both airmen and soldiers from various Idaho Army and Air Guard units. They should take over the checkpoints on Sunday.
The large number of fires burning around the country has led to a shortage of critical resources. Officials, from the Trinity Ridge Fire and others, may call again on the Guard, as fire managers assess their needs.
Copyright 2012 Boise State Public Radio