Thunderstorms moving across southern Idaho in recent days are being blamed for touching off a series of wildfires now burning forest and rangeland.
Crews are battling fires in Owyhee County in the southwest corner, a blaze in the foothills north of Boise and another scorching grass and timber in the mountains above the Anderson Ranch Reservoir in Elmore County.
In the Magic Valley, crews are trying to contain the Jim Brown fire near Richmond. So far, officials say the fire has burned 8,000 acres and is 15 percent contained.
Federal land managers say the combination of hot, dry weather in recent days and more thunderstorm activity predicted this week mean more new fires are likely.
Weather officials say more than 360 lightning strikes were recorded Tuesday in the Owyhee Mountains.
