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Idaho Blaze Threatens AF Base

Wildfire threatens thousands of homes and an Air Force base

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 23, 2007 7:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – A monster wildfire in Idaho threatens 7,500 homes and and an Air Force training range. The 880-square-mile blaze was formed when two other large wildfires combined, and has grown by 200 square miles in the last 24 hours. No one has been seriously hurt, but evacuations are still in effect and the fire has only been 15% contained.

A number of ranches were also in the fire's path, and a fire information officer says that cattle have probably perished. Other fires raging throughout the west—in Nevada, Oregon, and Utah—have firefighting manpower and resources stretched thin. "Everybody is trying to make do with what they have," says one firefighter.

Smoke from the Wood Creek Fire, burning east of Boise Idaho, can be seen in this aerial photo taken Thursday, July 19, 2007. The Wood Creek Fire, caused by lightning on the Boise National Forest... (Associated Press)

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Idaho Blaze Threatens AF Base

Wildfire threatens thousands of homes and an Air Force base

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