BY KAREN BOSSICK

Can you live without power for two days?

The Blaine County Sheriff warned Saturday night that residents of the Wood River Valley could lose power for up to two days due to wildfires burning south of Blaine County.

Idaho Power Co. representatives say this is not for sure, but they want people to be prepared in a worst case scenario.

If the power goes out, the Sheriff’s office will update residents through Code Red, Facebook and its websites.

A 15,000-acre fire—the Mammoth Fire—erupted several miles north of Shoshone on Friday afternoon, consuming one residential home and several sheds The Sheriff’s office evacuated the 1420 N. Road from Old Bermah Road to 1250 East Road Saturday afternoon after winds caused the fire to display erratic behavior.

Another wildfire—the Shoestring Fire—started off Highway 46 Saturday afternoon halfway between Wendell and Gooding and is rampaging across the desert, fueled by fierce winds. Smoke in the area is causing problems for motorists.

The Bureau of Land Management is fighting the fire by air and with multiple engines. But aircraft are also being diverted to the Mammoth Fire near Richfield and another fire in eastern Idaho that is threatening structures.