BONNERS FERRY — A large column of smoke was spotted by firefighters coming from an area south on Moon Shadow Road around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13. North Bench Fire and Idaho Department of Lands both responded to the scene and spent time trying to locate the source.

They located the half-acre fire that was burning in isolated pockets of timber and brush. There were no immediate structures in danger in that area.

South Boundary Fire and Paradise Valley Fire responded as mutual aid and Curley Creek Fire brought in a water tender. A helicopter was also brought in to assist ground crews due to the location of the fire and weather conditions.

Before being contained around 6 p.m., the fire had grown to just over two acres.

“We are very proud at how effective the interagency cooperation was, especially while responding to a wildland fire in the urban interface, as these can become very complicated and rapidly evolving incidents,” stated North Bench Fire on their Facebook page.

“People should be aware that fire season is here,” said North Bench Fire Chief Gus Jackson. “It is very dry despite being deceptively green.”