NAPLES — A structure fire quickly went out of control and turned into a wildland fire on Monday, April 12 at 1:30 p.m.; at U.S. Highway 95 at milepost-498 on Sandy Ridge road.

According to the county public information officer, Andrew O'Neel, firefighters from South Boundary Fire, with support from North Bench and Paradise Valley Fire Districts, responded Monday afternoon to a rural residence structure on Sandy Ridge Road, north of Naples.

“Upon arrival, it was discovered that several trees had also ignited, and the fire was spreading into wildlands. Idaho Department of Lands firefighters was called on to respond.” O’Neel said.

The structure was a fully engulfed barn, which firefighters extinguished; unfortunately, it was a total loss. The subsequent wildland fire burned between 2 and 3 acres of grass, brush, and trees before being contained and eventually extinguished.

According to O’Neel, there have been several wildfires in Boundary county over the past week since Easter; many have been human-started fires that went out of control.

The fire districts would like to remind residents that it is hazardous to burn slash piles in high winds and dry conditions, such as we currently have, and residents should never leave a fire unattended because they can get out of control in the blink of an eye.

The fire investigator determined yesterday that the fire was caused by a heat lamp in the barn that was being powered by an extension cord from the house. It was a clip-on heat lamp with an aluminum shroud, which may have fallen from where it was mounted.

It was determined the lamp was powered at the time of the fire. It is the type of lamp often used to warm chicks and other animals. The barn was housing pigs at the time of the fire.