AIR FORCE

Fire Start, Size and Growth

Start Date/Time/Location: The AIR FORCE Fire started on May 17, 2026, in Elmore County, Idaho. The incident is located approximately 9.7 miles west-southwest of Mountain Home, Idaho.
Size and Containment: As of the latest updates over the last 72 hours, the fire has burned 570 acres (up from the initially reported 507 acres). It is currently 100% contained, and its status is officially listed as controlled.
Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread: The fire grew to a final size of 570 acres before forward progress was completely halted. With full containment achieved, there is no further rate of spread.
Containment Efforts: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) - Boise District is the lead agency managing the incident. Firefighting personnel have successfully secured the perimeter, bringing containment to 100%.

Emergency Information

Evacuations and Sheltering:
Mandatory Evacuation Orders: Because the fire is 100% contained and controlled, there are no mandatory evacuation orders in place.
Evacuation Warnings: There are no active evacuation warnings.
Curfew: No curfews have been issued for this incident.
Evacuation Shelters and Information: No evacuation shelters are open, as there is no threat to local communities.

Road and Infrastructure Closures:

• There are no road closures, school closures, or infrastructure impacts associated with this fire.
• Local travel remains unaffected.

For more information, visit:

• Idaho Fire Info Official Website
• Bureau of Land Management - Idaho Fire Information
• Elmore County Emergency Management

Current Impact

Impacts:
Injuries and Fatalities: There are no reported injuries or fatalities associated with the AIR FORCE Fire.
Structures Impacted: No structures have been reported as damaged, destroyed, or threatened.
School and Business Closures: No schools or local businesses have been closed.
Notable Impacts: The fire has remained on wildland areas managed by the BLM, resulting in no notable impacts to civilian populations, notable figures, or key infrastructure.

Safety Concerns:
Power Outages: There are no power outages related to this fire.
Water Safety: No water safety issues or advisories have been reported.
Burn Bans: Residents should continue to follow standard seasonal fire restrictions and local burn bans issued by Elmore County authorities.
Air Quality: With the fire fully contained, smoke production is minimal and there are no active air quality alerts for the immediate area.

Ongoing Outlook

Containment Projections: The fire is 100% contained and controlled. Fire personnel will continue to monitor the burn scar for any residual heat or hot spots to ensure the fire remains within its current footprint.
Weather and Wind Warnings: Recent weather observations near the fire area showed temperatures around 59°F, relative humidity at 21%, and northwest winds blowing at 31 mph. Despite these breezy and dry conditions, the fire's containment lines have held successfully, and there are no active Red Flag Warnings for the immediate vicinity.

Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate

Cause: The official cause of the AIR FORCE Fire remains unknown and is currently under investigation.
Weather and Climate: Spring conditions in Elmore County, characterized by dry vegetation and low relative humidity (dipping near 20%), provided receptive fuels for the fire's initial ignition and growth. Gusty northwest winds contributed to the early spread, but successful suppression efforts prevented the weather from driving the fire into a larger incident.

For more information, visit:

• Idaho Fire Info Official Website
• Bureau of Land Management - Idaho Fire Information
• Elmore County Emergency Management