Idaho
Hot, dry weather prompts fire restrictions in parts of Idaho
SOUTH BOISE, Idaho — 90 degree weather paired with dry brush and grass has led to an increase in vegetation fires across Idaho. Some areas of the state are seeing increased fire restrictions and burn bans in an effort to prevent wildfires this summer.
(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)
“I would see fire restrictions as a serious consideration this year,” says Robbie Johnson, with the Idaho Department of Lands.
She says fire restrictions and burn bans are put into place when fire danger is considered extreme.
“We had a wet spring so that allowed these grasses and fine fuels, as we called them in wildfire, to really grow big and strong and in large amounts,” says Johnson.
That build-up of fine fuels prompted portions of Idaho to put restrictions in place.
“And so when you see a fire restriction, you won’t see that in the whole state they’ll just be zones of sorts and portions,” added Johnson.
Those zones can either be stage one or stage two of fire restrictions, though local agencies can issue other requirements.
“Stage one fire restrictions are the lower level and that mostly has to be with smoking outside…and also campfires, so there’s different ways you can have campfires still but not in all ways,” says Johnson.
Stage two comes with elevated concerns, increasing restrictions to include where you can use motorized vehicles while recreating.
Burn permits offer another way to check if it is safe to burn at your location.
“In May through October, we call that closed fire season, and basically if you just want to go out and burn some stuff, like out here you have to have a permit first,” says Johnson.
Johnson tells me issuing formal fire restrictions is not something they take lightly.
“Fire restrictions are really something that we don’t wanna have to do, but if we’re seeing those human-caused fires, it’s so dry, it’s windy, it’s extreme conditions. We have a lot of fires out there that are tasking our resources, that’s where it’s time to deeply consider them, and they are very much thoughtfully considered,” added Johnson.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (CBS2) — A joint investigation by the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office and the Mountain Home Police Department has led to the arrest of a man accused of multiple sexual offenses in Elmore County and the city of Mountain Home.
An arrest warrant was issued on June 10, 2026, for Dillon Thorpe following an investigation conducted by Elmore County Sheriff’s Office detectives. Thorpe was taken into custody on June 11, 2026, on a warrant by the Idaho State Police.
Thorpe is charged with rape, child enticement, lewd conduct with a minor, and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 16.
Authorities said additional details about the investigation will not be released at this time because of the nature of the crimes and to protect the privacy of victims and witnesses.
Law enforcement believes there may be additional suspected victims and/or witnesses who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information or evidence relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office or the Mountain Home Police Department to make a report.
DENVER (KDVR) — Three Colorado motorcyclists died on Tuesday in northern Idaho after a pickup truck driver, also from Colorado, hit all three while trying to pass another vehicle, according to the Idaho State Police.
The crash happened at about 4 p.m. Tuesday outside the town of Kooskia on U.S. 12, police said. The pickup truck driver, identified as a 60-year-old Colorado Springs woman, was headed west on the highway when she crossed the double yellow line in a no-passing zone while trying to pass another vehicle.
She then collided head-on with the three motorcycles that were headed east on the highway.
The three motorcyclists died at the scene. The Idaho County Coroner identified the motorcyclists as: Ethan Powers, 35, of Timnath, Jeremy Coleman, 45 of Berthoud, and Nathan McCormick, 26, of Loveland.
The Colorado Fraternal Order of Police later identified Coleman and Powers as a sergeant and deputy with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and McCormick as Coleman’s son-in-law.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends, coworkers, and the members of FOP Lodge 4 as they face the difficult days ahead,” the union said. “The law enforcement profession is built on service, sacrifice, and commitment to others. Sgt. Coleman and Deputy Powers dedicated their lives to protecting their community, and their impact will continue to be felt by those who had the privilege of serving alongside them.”
The truck driver was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation before being released then arrested. She was booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter, police said.
The following is a press release from the Idaho State Police:
The Idaho State Police (ISP) is investigating a three-fatality crash that occurred at approximately 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on U.S. Highway 12 near milepost 113 east of Kooskia.
The preliminary investigation indicates a 2019 Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 12 when the driver attempted to pass another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone. The pickup crossed the double yellow centerline and collided with three motorcycles traveling eastbound.
The three motorcyclists sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The 60-year-old female driver of the Ford, from Colorado Springs, Colorado, was transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Following her release, she was arrested and booked into the Idaho County Jail on probable cause for three counts of vehicular manslaughter.
The Idaho County Coroner’s Office will identify the deceased and determine the cause and manner of death.
U.S. Highway 12 was closed for approximately six and one-half hours while emergency responders assisted at the scene and investigators processed evidence.
ISP was assisted by the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office, the Idaho County Coroner’s Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and local fire and EMS personnel.
The crash remains under investigation.
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