Month: July 2026

Curtis Jackson

AMMON, Idaho (KIFI) — Nearly 30 hot air balloons lifted off from McCowin Park Friday morning, officially kicking off this year’s Ammon Days celebration.

“We have 31 hot air balloons that are going to be launching this morning, Saturday morning and Sunday morning,” Ammon Mayor Brian Powell said. “So, between 6:30 and 7, if people want to come out and see this sky get colored with these balloons, it’s actually amazing.”

People can also enjoy several activities taking place at McCowin Park throughout the day.

After launching before sunrise, several balloons drifted over Ammon before making landings in neighborhoods south of McCowin Park.

The unexpected landings caught the attention of some residents, who wondered if the balloons were experiencing problems.

Balloon pilot Greg Ashton said the landings were all part of the plan.

“We just—it’s a normal landing for us,” Ashton said. “These new subdivisions have underground utilities, so there’s no power lines to worry about or anything like that. We land in subdivisions all the time. We always try to land on grass and take off on grass, but it doesn’t always work that way.”

Ashton said balloon pilots don’t steer like airplanes. Instead, they climb and descend to catch different wind currents before selecting a safe place to land.

Friday’s flight was expected to last about an hour, but warmer-than-expected temperatures forced crews to cut the trip short.

“It was pretty warm, so we had to land,” Ashton said. “Normally we can fly an hour to an hour and a half, but today we cut it short because it got warm really quick.”

The hot air balloon launches are one of the signature attractions of Ammon Days, which continues throughout the weekend.

Friday’s festivities also include the dedication of McCowin Park’s new playground equipment at 4 p.m., followed by a talent show at the gazebo from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The evening concludes with the Hot Air Balloon Glow beginning at 9 p.m.

Saturday’s main celebration features food vendors, family activities, live entertainment and additional events throughout McCowin Park. Organizers are also planning another Hot Air Balloon Glow Saturday night, weather permitting.

Additional balloon launches are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Because parking around McCowin Park is limited, organizers encourage visitors to park at Hillcrest High School and take advantage of the free shuttle service.

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Seth Ratliff

BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — As catastrophic wildfires sweep across the Intermountain West and Pacific Northwest, federal officials are calling in the U.S. military to support fire crews on the front lines.

Approximately 250 active-duty U.S. Army soldiers are mobilizing to support wildland firefighting efforts across Oregon and Washington, the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) announced Friday.

Working out of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, NMAC requested the Department of Defense activation as national resources reach their limits. The soldiers will serve as hand crews. A similar deployment occurred during heavy fire activity in 2024.

“The United States has been experiencing above-normal fire activity, which will likely continue. These conditions are creating competition for all types of wildland fire resources,” said Chuck Russell, NMAC Chair. “In order to meet current demands, we are working with the U.S. military to activate additional fire suppression resources. We appreciate the U.S. military for their assistance in protecting lives, property, infrastructure and critical cultural and natural resources. Together, we work to reduce threats from wildfires and other disasters.”

According to the NMAC, the nation is currently at Preparedness Level 5—the highest alert level—indicating that national firefighting resources are heavily committed and nearing exhaustion. More than 90 large wildfires are actively burning across the country, consuming hundreds of thousands of acres of grass, brush, and timber. Over half of these active blazes are concentrated in Oregon and Washington.

The regional crisis prompted Idaho Gov. Brad Little to declare a fire disaster emergency on Wednesday, July 29, authorizing the deployment of the Idaho National Guard to combat the massive Big Grass Fire in Owyhee County. Spanning the Oregon-Idaho border, that blaze alone has burned more than 300,000 acres, sparking widespread evacuations.

RELATED: Gov. Little declares fire disaster emergency, deploys Idaho National Guard to Big Grass Fire

Before deploying to the fire lines, the troops will undergo intensive training and receive personal protective equipment at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. The program includes both classroom instruction and field exercises focused on basic wildland fire suppression, chainsaw operations, and firefighter safety.

The soldiers are expected to conclude their training by Friday, Aug. 7. Once deployed, the soldiers will build fire lines and conduct line-holding operations alongside experienced wildland fire strike team leaders and crew bosses.

“All firefighting activities will be conducted with consideration for the safety and well-being of all personnel,” states the NMAC.

In addition to the ground troops, four U.S. Air Force C-130s equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems are currently providing aerial firefighting support in the Pacific Northwest.

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Danielle Mullenix

ISLAND PARK, Idaho (KIFI) – Several days after a health alert was issued for Island Park Reservoir, Idaho environmental officials say the harmful cyanobacteria bloom is continuing to grow, with warm summer temperatures creating favorable conditions for the bacteria to spread.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) says recent satellite imagery shows the bloom has expanded since the alert was first announced, and residents and visitors are urged to continue avoiding contact with affected water.

“We put Island Park at the alert level,” said Will Reynolds, DEQ’s Harmful Algae Bloom Lead. “Based on the information that we have, especially the satellite data, and looking at the recent trend, it looks like that bloom is increasing. As we approach the summer temperatures, it triggers those cyanobacteria to again multiply rapidly, leading to a bloom that can be dangerous for people and animals alike.”

Cyanobacteria, commonly referred to as blue-green algae, naturally occur in lakes and reservoirs. During periods of hot weather, abundant sunlight and calm water, the organisms can multiply rapidly and produce toxins that pose health risks to humans, pets and wildlife.

Example of Cyanobacteria’s appearance | Image Courtesy of the Department of Environmental Quality

According to DEQ, pets are especially susceptible because they are more likely to drink lake water while swimming or lick algae from their fur after leaving the water. Exposure to cyanotoxins can also make people sick, causing symptoms that may include skin irritation, stomach illness and other health effects. It is advised at this time to avoid allowing young children to play in the water near the Island Park Reservoir to prevent chances of ingestion.

Officials like Reynolds strongly advise visitors to avoid any water that:

Appears bright green or blue.

Has floating surface scum or mats.

Looks like spilled paint on the water’s surface.

Anyone who comes into contact with suspicious water should rinse off with clean, fresh water as soon as possible. Parents are encouraged to closely monitor children for signs of illness after exposure, while pet owners should seek veterinary care immediately if their animals appear sick after swimming or drinking reservoir water.

The DEQ says the health alert in Island Park is expected to remain in effect for at least 30 days. The agency will continue monitoring the reservoir through follow-up water sampling in a lab setting and satellite imagery, and the advisory will only be lifted once testing confirms cyanotoxin levels have returned to safe levels.

The public is also advised at this time to familiarize themselves with the department of environmental quality’s website, where you can further idenfity images of cyanobacteria in the region and learn how to report it.

Island Park Reservoir remains open to recreation, but officials urge visitors to use caution and avoid areas where algae is visible until the health alert is lifted.

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