Del. firefighters assist in battling wildfire in Idaho

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Officials say some Delaware firefighters are in Idaho battling a wildfire that spans 180 acres.  

On Monday, the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) says 20 wild land firefighters from Delaware are part of 137 personnel battling the Copper Mountain Fire located four miles east of Eastport, Idaho on the Canadian border.  Officials report that the fire is lightning-caused blaze burning in timber that started on August 2.

Delaware State Forester and Crew Boss Michael Valenti says " firefighters are working in rough terrain and completing very long hikes to and from the fire each day." Officials say the firefighters are staying in the relatively primitive conditions of a spike camp near the incident and eating MRE's (Meals Ready-to-Eat). The DDA says a spike camp is a remote camp near a fire line that lacks the logistical support of a larger fire camp, such as catered meals and hot showers.

According to the report, the fire is only 20% contained as of Monday.