A cluster of thunderstorms moved through the Mountain Home area on the evening of Thursday August 8th, 2013. And being an extremely dry year, these thunderstorms ignited quite a number of fires in the mountains north of Interstate 84. By Friday morning at 7:30am Highway 20 leading north out of Mountain Home was closed due to these fires.
By mid-morning fire born cumulus clouds (CU), tower cumulus (TCU) clouds and possibly even a cumulus nimbus (CB) were forming over the intense heat and strong updrafts from one these wildfires. And they were quite visible from Mountain Home.
The map above shows the 2 wildfire areas visible from Mountain Home and in my photo. By early Saturday August 10th, 2013 both the Long Tom and Mudd fires seemed to be under control per the fire service websites. And Highway 20 out of town reopened on Friday evening (Aug 9th).
No need to say this but I will…it's a tinderbox out there. Watch what you're doing and be ready to take action if you see fire while you are out in the mountains of Idaho.
