Courtesy: Payette National Forest. This shot was taken from the Smokejumper plane during initial attack activities Thursday, September 7. Looking south from Hidden Valley toward McCall.

PLEASE NOTE:  (7:00 pm, Thursday, Sept. 8): The latest update to this story is here.

11:00 am Update from Thursday, Sept 8: Forest Service firefighters are continuing their work to suppress a fire burning near the top of Brundage Mountain, with multiple crews attacking from the ground and the air.

The Rainbow Fire was sparked by lightning during a thunderstorm event on the evening of Wednesday, September 7. The fire is now estimated at 5 acres, which is a change from the initial estimates given last night and early this morning. The fire is burning in the Hidden Valley area and the Hidden Valley cliffs, to the north of Brundage Mountain’s main front side runs. No structures are currently in danger.

The Forest Service was able to drop smokejumpers on the fire before dark last night to begin initial attack alongside several engine crews. The fire burned actively until 2 am this morning. Firefighters from SITPA (Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association) and the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) also aided in the initial attack efforts.

Multiple crews are attacking the fire from the ground and air today. Four engines are on the scene along with Smokejumpers and Hotshot crews. Two helicopters are currently attacking the fire from the air, with additional aerial resources (scoop tankers) on request.

A fire camp is being set up in the lower (Centennial) parking lot and the public is asked to avoid the area so fire crews can easily access travel routes.

“We are sincerely grateful for the quick response of the Forest Service and other agencies last night and we are hopeful that this fire can be brought under control quickly and safely,” says Brundage Mountain General Manager, Ken Rider. “We’re asking the public to help out by staying clear of the resort area so the fire crews can access the area safely and without delay.”