KELLOGG - A fire that burned more than 17 acres and caused nearly $200,000 in damage was started by kids playing with matches, investigators said Friday.

Two Kellogg children, whose names have not been released, confessed they accidentally set the blaze on the hills over Second Street in Kellogg on Wednesday, said Kellogg Police Chief Dave Wuolle.

"We have identified two possible subjects, both of whom are under the age of 12," he said during a press conference. "We interviewed them with their parents and they admitted that they were guilty to lighting the fire. We will now pass it off to our prosecutor to see if he finds criminal intent."

Several burnt matches were found at the source of the fire by the Department of Lands, which confirmed the kids' stories.

"The children live close to the neighborhood that the fire was started in. We weren't at all surprised that children started it - children play on that hill all of the time," Wuolle said. "This is just the start of fire season. Parents need to watch their kids and see what they're playing with. It's really dry out there, and you can see the results if you aren't aware of what your kids are doing."

The two boys could be potentially charged with arson for their role in the fire, but more disconcerting for their parents is that they could be potentially charged the estimated $193,136 bill that has amassed over the last few days. While the parents can't be charged for any criminal negligence, the civil costs may be just as painful.

Idaho Department of Lands Fire Warden Len Young said that it is state policy to have the parents foot the bill for their negligent children.

"The state will send a bill for services, it's a state policy," he said. "It's technically up to the state Attorney General, but it is in the state code that we bill the parents, and there is a precedent for it."

After three days, firefighters called the fire 100 percent contained Friday night. That will wrap up a three-day stretch that saw 87 fire officials working 14-hour days for a total of 3,654 hours of labor.

For the next few days, Shoshone County District 2 firefighters will continue with their normal patrols, but will also continue checking the hill for any smoke or hot spots in the 17.3 acres that the fire burned.