Info sought on CCC wildfire cause

By CHANSE WATSON

Managing Editor

CATALDO — Fire investigators are continuing their investigation of what started the CCC wildfire that burned 450 acres of land north of Cataldo from Aug. 7-14.

Personnel with the Idaho Department of Lands, Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 have been working diligently by not only inspecting the affected area, but by also speaking to community members and following leads.

IDL lead investigator Bob Helmer said the point of origin has been narrowed down to a 10-acre area on the hill where flames were first seen. This unnamed hill and 10-acre area is located roughly 200 yards northwest of Drop Point 10 — the command post established by fire crews 1.5 miles up east CCC Road from east Canyon Road.

Contrary to other reports, logging operations are not believed to be responsible for the fire, but investigators are leaning toward human-related causes versus natural ones (such as lightning).

With such little to go on and no “smoking gun,” the Shoshone County Fire Chiefs Association is now seeking the communities help with investigation.

“We just really need the help of the public on this,” said Kjell Truesdell, IDL fire warden. “We’ve blanketed the area and little is still known.”

The chiefs ask that anyone who may have been in the area during the early hours of the fire, either recreating or floating the river, to call the SCSO at 208-556-1114 or IDL lead investigator Bob Helmer at 208-666-8697 and report what you saw or heard.

Specifically, investigators want to know if witnesses saw a person or people, any vehicles, or heard any gunshots or fireworks in or around the ignition area.

To help determine a more precise point of origin, Helmer is also asking for witnesses to send him photos and/or videos of the fire in its very early stages (before air units were on scene). Those files can be emailed to him at bhelmer@idl.idaho.gov.

Despite recent precipitation, fire danger remains High for the area and burn permits are still not being issued. While this does not impact or prohibit recreational campfires, campers are reminded to never leave their fires unattended and to ensure that fires are dead out when they leave.

For additional information or questions about permits, please contact your local fire district:

- Shoshone County Fire District No. 1: 208-752-1101

- Shoshone County Fire District No. 2: 208-784-1188

- U.S. Forest Service: 208-783-2100

- Idaho Department of Lands — Cataldo: 208-682-4611