The Associated Press
BOISE, Idaho — Crews are hoping a calmer weather will help them gain ground in a wildfire in the southern Idaho desert that has scorched more than 510 square miles, or an area larger than the city of Los Angeles.
Lightning ignited the 327,000-acre Long Butte Fire on Saturday in an area about 90 miles southeast of Boise. But strong winds Sunday and Monday fueled its growth, making it the nation’s biggest active wildfire.
More than 600 firefighters are battling the blaze, up from 375 who were working to contain the fire Monday.
Bureau of Land Management Spokeswoman Barbara Bassler says no injuries have been reported, but at least 10 ranch buildings have been destroyed.
The blaze is burning in a flat, desolate area covered in sage brush and cheatgrass on the western side of the Snake River.