The Idaho Falls Fire Department responded early this morning, Dec. 14, to a vegetation fire at the Bonneville County Hatch Pit, located at East 33rd North and Recycle Road.
Around 2:44 a.m., dispatch received a call reporting flames that appeared to be 20 feet tall coming from the site. Upon arrival, fire crews discovered a large pallet and a wood pile engulfed in flames, rather than the active trash pit. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Primary objective of preventing the fire
The burning pile is approximately 1 acre in size and 10 to 12 feet tall, with an underlying layer of chipped wood, or duff, estimated to be 2 to 4 feet deep. Crews are working with landfill personnel to keep the fire contained to a single pile.
Idaho Falls Fire responded with five units and one battalion chief. Mutual aid was provided by one water tender unit each from Ucon Fire and Bonneville County Fire. Crews remain on scene, with the primary objective of preventing the fire from spreading through the duff layer or spotting to nearby exposures. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.
Smoke and occasional small flames
At approximately 1:40 p.m., after nearly 11 hours of fire suppression efforts, fire units cleared the scene, determining there was no ongoing emergency. County employees remain on site to monitor the pile involved.
Some smoke and occasional small flames may be visible for the next 24 to 48 hours as Hatch Pit crews continue working to keep the fire contained to the original pile. They have been briefed on what to watch for and when to contact the Idaho Falls Fire Department if any further issues arise.