Wildfire Near Interstate 84 in Payette County Determined to Be Arson

Contact: Julie Robinson, 208-334-4312
[email protected]

BOISE, ID (June 10, 2026) - The Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office has determined that a wildfire reported on Friday, May 29, in a farm field along the westbound side of Interstate 84 near milepost 15 in rural Payette County was intentionally set.

According to State Fire Marshal Knute Sandahl, firefighters from the Sand Hollow Fire District were dispatched at approximately 4:30 p.m., just as a sudden windstorm moved through the area. Early 911 callers reported flames coming from a discarded pile of drip tape, a one-time-use irrigation material. When the windstorm struck, the fire spread rapidly into surrounding dry vegetation.

A bulldozer from the Sand Hollow Fire District arrived quickly and worked to separate the burning drip-tape piles, which produced thick black smoke visible for miles along the interstate. Fire crews from Sand Hollow and neighboring departments contained the fire to fewer than 100 acres, and no homes were damaged.

The Idaho State Fire Marshal's Office is requesting assistance from the public. Investigators are seeking information from motorists who were traveling westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 15 shortly before the fire began.

"We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen vehicles or unusual activity in the area shortly before the fire started," said Fire Marshal Sandahl. "Even small details could help our investigators identify who is responsible. Arson is a serious crime, and intentionally setting a fire-especially in dry, windy conditions-can endanger lives, threaten property, and rapidly escalate into a major wildfire. We are committed to determining how this fire began and holding the responsible individuals accountable."

Anyone with information is urged to call the arson hotline at 1-877-75ARSON (27766).

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About the Department of Insurance

The Idaho Department of Insurance has been regulating the business of insurance in Idaho since 1901. The mission of the Department is to serve and protect Idahoans by equitably, effectively and efficiently administering the Idaho Insurance Code and the International Fire Code. For more information, please visit us at doi.idaho.gov or email us at [email protected].

About the Idaho State Fire Marshal

The State Fire Marshal's Office participates in and coordinates an integrated statewide system designed to protect human life from fire and explosions through fire prevention, investigation and public education activities. The program involves fire prevention activities, fire/arson investigation, code enforcement and the operation of the National Emergency Response Information System. The State Fire Marshal's Office provides assistance to local fire agencies throughout the state.