INL firefighters responding to wildland fire at Idaho Site 

Idaho National Laboratory firefighters continue to battle a blaze that began early this afternoon near Highway 33 on the northwest side of the INL desert Site.

The blaze is burning on an estimated 90 acres of grass and sagebrush on both sides of the highway on both Bureau of Land Management and INL property.

Idaho State Police and INL Security have blocked access to Highway 33 on the north and south sides of Howe Junction to prevent motorists from driving near the fire.

Three INL fire engines are at the scene, and firefighters are teaming with others from Butte County and the Bureau of Land Management. INL heavy equipment units also are at the scene of the wildfire.

Weather conditions were reported to be 91 degrees with winds from the south-southwest at 12 mph.

INL officials say there is no known radiological hazard to the public at this time.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Emergency Operations Center has been activated and is gathering information.
Cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

News release updates will be issued when more information is available.

Please note that information about this event reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.

INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.

Media Information: (208) 526-9206        Please do not call other INL contacts
Public Information: (208) 526-5042

Follow-up news releases will be posted on INL’s Web site at: http://www.inl.gov/