Wildland firefighters continue to make progress on the Sharps Fire burning near Sun Valley, even as it makes its way further into the Sawtooth National Forest.
The blaze, which started July 29 east of Bellevue, has burned about 100 square miles. Over the weekend the wildfire spread further into rugged terrain in the Sawtooth National Forest.
Hutson Van is a public information officer with the Forest Service. He says crews dug fire lines on the northern side and will now focus on defending it.
“Hot shot crews and multiple type 2 hand crews," says Van, "that are in the northern flank and are going direct with the line – digging it by hand.”
Some firefighters spent time protecting the Garfield Guard Station, a remote and historic Forest Service Cabin about a mile-and-a-half from the fire line. Van says they wrapped it in a aluminum foil-like material to keep it from burning, should the Sharps Fire arrive on the station’s doorstep. They also removed brush and dry grasses at the base of the cabin to reduce fuels.
Last week, the Blaine County Sheriff’s office posted a notice on Facebook saying a suspect had confessed to starting the blaze. The office says 35-year-old Ryan Jensen told law enforcement that he accidentally started the fire while shooting exploding targets.
Find reporter Frankie Barnhill on Twitter @FABarnhill
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