STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

A fast-moving lightning storm that moved through the Wood River Valley early Monday afternoon started at least three fires in the Sun Valley area.

Lightning also sparked a few fires in the Magic Valley.

• The Elephant Fire in Croy Canyon near Croy Creek Road west of Rock Creek Road had burned an estimated five to 10 acres by 8:30 p.m. Monday night. Grass, brush and timber was smoldering, but no structures were threatened as of Monday evening. Firefighters hope to contain it by 8 p.m. tonight and control it by 8 p.m. Thursday, July 19.
• The public was being asked to avoid the area west of Hailey.

• It’s being fought by one Sawtooth National Forest Engine, one BLM engine, smokejumpers and one Type-two IA crews.

• The Mud Fire 12 miles north of Richfield had burned 55 acres of grass and brush. The fire was smoldering but no structures were threatened.

  Four engines and one BLM battalion chief were on the scene. They expected to contain it by 9 p.m. Monday and control it by 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 18. No structures were threatened.

• The Spud Butte fire five miles southeast of Carey had burned 4,093 acres of grass and brush. The Carey Rural Fire Department, five BLM engines, two dozers, one water tender were on the scene. The fire was smoldering and no structures were threatened.

  Containment was expected at 9 p.m. Monday. Firefighters hope to have it under control by 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 18.

• The Brown Fire, 10 miles southwest of Hammett, had burned 470 acres of grass and brush. No structures were threatened.
• The East Sailor Fire, six miles south of Hammett, had burned 250 acres of grass and brush.
• The East Fork Fire, 26 miles southwest of Castleford, had burned 1,000 acres of grass and brush, and the fire was creeping and running.
• And the Berger Butte Fire, seven miles southeast of Castleford, had burned 1,000 acres of grass and brush.