📰 SOUTHERN IDAHO NEWS UPDATE: WILDFIRES, WATER, BACK-TO-SCHOOL & MORE

🚨 JEROME COUNTY MOTORCYCLE CRASH

Idaho State Police are investigating a pickup versus motorcycle crash that happened Saturday afternoon in Jerome County.

A 57-year-old Jerome man riding a Harley-Davidson suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to the hospital. Police say he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

The investigation remains ongoing. 🏍️🚑

🎒 BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON ARRIVES

School is back in session soon across Southern Idaho!

📚 Thursday: Buhl
📚 Friday: Valley & Hansen
📚 August 19: Twin Falls, Filer, Gooding & Minidoka County
📚 August 20: Jerome & Kimberly

Drivers should watch for increased pedestrian and school-bus traffic as students return to classrooms. 🚌⚠️

💧 WATER FLOWS INCREASE AS RESERVOIR LEVELS REMAIN LOW

The Bureau of Reclamation says outflow from Ririe Dam increases today to 325 cubic feet per second, sending additional water toward American Falls Reservoir.

Reservoir storage remains tight:

💧 American Falls — 16% full
💧 Palisades — 22% full
💧 Jackson Lake — 52% full

Meanwhile, flows below Milner Dam are currently projected to stop August 17th.

🔥 WILDFIRES STRETCH RESOURCES ACROSS THE WEST

Wildfire activity remains extremely high nationwide.

🔥 183 new fires were reported in a single day, including 8 new large fires.

The National Interagency Fire Center says crews are currently battling 94 large wildfires, with more than:

👨‍🚒 30,000 firefighters and support personnel
🚒 Nearly 1,900 engines
🚁 More than 200 helicopters

Idaho officials are also warning that firefighting resources are being stretched thin as fires continue burning across the West. More than 600 fires have already been reported in Idaho this year.

🔥 BIG GRASS FIRE PROMPTS EVACUATIONS

Evacuations are underway in Owyhee County as the massive Big Grass Fire continues to grow.

The fire has burned more than 513,000 acres and is currently just 39% contained. More than 1,200 personnel are battling the blaze, with some communities under Level 3 “GO” evacuation orders.

Meanwhile, the Tartar Fire near Weiser is now 87% contained after burning approximately 158,000 acres.

Residents in fire-prone areas are urged to remain alert and follow evacuation orders from local authorities. 🚨🔥

💰 NATURAL GAS BILLS COULD DROP THIS FALL

There could be some relief coming for Intermountain Gas customers.

The company is asking Idaho regulators to approve a rate adjustment that would lower the average residential bill by approximately $1.46 per month, or just over 3%.

If approved, the new rates would take effect October 1st. 💵🏠

🎟️ POWERBALL JACKPOT HITS $905 MILLION

The Powerball jackpot is now estimated at a whopping $905 million for tonight’s drawing after nobody matched all the winning numbers Saturday. 💰🎰

The jackpot hasn’t been won since May 2nd, when winners in Florida and Texas split a $20 million jackpot.

Good luck to everyone with a ticket! 🍀

🏈 SPORTS

🏈 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL KICKS OFF

The 2026 high school football season officially kicks off today across Southern Idaho.

🏆 1A: Carey is chasing a third straight state championship.

🏈 2A: Raft River and Oakley could be contenders in what looks like a wide-open race.

⬇️ 3A: Buhl makes the move down to 3A.

⚡ 4A: Kimberly faces a brutal early-season schedule.

🔥 5A: Defending conference champion Twin Falls and Minico are expected to battle for the title, with Jerome potentially playing the role of dark horse.

It’s time to grab the Friday night snacks and get ready for football! 🏟️🌭

🏀 CSI ADDS VERSATILE 6’6″ RECRUIT

The College of Southern Idaho men’s basketball team has added 6-foot-6 guard/forward Carter Davis from Smithfield, Utah.

Davis joins the Golden Eagles after completing a two-year mission in Warsaw, Poland.

At Skyview High School, Davis was a 2023 Utah 4A state champion and State Tournament MVP. He also earned Region Defensive Player of the Year honors.

As a senior, Davis averaged 14 points and more than two steals per game.

He says CSI fans can expect a passionate player who leads by example. 🦅🏀

⚽ BOISE STATE SOCCER HONORED FOR ACADEMICS

Boise State women’s soccer has earned the United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Award after posting a team GPA of 3.67.

It’s the program’s 10th academic team award and its first since 2019. The 3.67 GPA is also the team’s highest in more than 13 years.

The Broncos open their season Wednesday at home against CSUN, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at Boas Soccer Complex. 📚⚽

⚽ CSI WOMEN’S SOCCER PREPARES FOR NEW SEASON

The College of Southern Idaho women’s soccer team has completed its first week of preseason training, with depth and conditioning among the team’s biggest priorities.

Head coach Andrew Zaleski says the Golden Eagles are hungry and competitive, with goals of winning the conference and making the playoffs.

The team is also embracing a new mentality built around playing courageous and aggressive soccer.

CSI gets its first preseason test August 15th, hosting the College of Idaho in a scrimmage. ⚽🦅

⚽ IDAHO STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER FALLS TO BYU

Idaho State women’s soccer got its first preseason test Saturday, falling 5-1 to BYU in an exhibition match in Provo.

BYU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 11 minutes, but the Bengals settled in and played the Cougars much tighter the rest of the match.

Saydree Cooke scored Idaho State’s lone goal, assisted by Kellie Christensen and Stephanie Roper.

Twenty Bengals saw action as Idaho State continues preparing for the regular season. 🐯⚽

⚽ CSI MEN’S SOCCER SETS SIGHTS ON PLAYOFFS

The College of Southern Idaho men’s soccer team is back for its third season, and the Golden Eagles have their sights firmly set on the postseason.

CSI missed the playoffs last season by just three points.

Head coach Alex Ferreira says the team has already proven it can compete, and the Golden Eagles return three captains.

The message from the players is clear: making the playoffs is the bare minimum, while winning the conference is the ultimate goal.

CSI opens with a scrimmage at Carroll College on August 15th. ⚽🦅

🌤️ SOUTHERN IDAHO WEATHER

☀️ HOT START, COOLER WEATHER AHEAD

We’re starting the week hot, with sunshine, patchy smoke and temperatures near 94° today.

The heat sticks around Tuesday before temperatures begin dropping. By Thursday, showers and thunderstorms become possible, with highs falling into the lower 80s.