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Island Park, Idaho (KIFI) – Health officials are warning people to use caution at Island Park Reservoir after confirming the detection of cyanobacteria in the water. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued a cyanobacteria health alert for the reservoir.

Officials say that field testing confirmed the presence of cyanotoxins, which can make people sick. They also pose a serious threat to pets and livestock. Sicknesses are caused when the cyanobacteria is exposed to skin or by swallowing contaminated water.

It can cause skin irritation, stomach illnesses or more serious symptoms. The department says harmful blooms in the water can appear as mats, foam, spilled paint or scum on the surface. It may also have a foul odor.

Anyone still using the Island Park Reservoir is encouraged to avoid any suspicious water and keep pets completely out.

More information on this health alert can be found on the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality website: deq.idaho.gov.

MALAD, Idaho (KIFI) — A truck fire temporarily stalled traffic along southbound I-15 north of Malad on Saturday afternoon, according to the Idaho State Police. Fortunately, the Idaho State Police say no one was injured.

ISP says around 2 p.m. 2025 Ford F350 pulling a toy-hauler trailer was traveling south on I-15 when the engine compartment erupted in flames.

The 31-year-old driver pulled the vehicle onto the shoulder, where the truck became engulfed in flames. ISP says the flames spread to the trailer and surrounding brush in the median and the right shoulder of the interstate.

Traffic was partially blocked for over an hour while crews worked to extinguish the fire and clear the scene.

Idaho State Police was assisted by the Downey Fire Department, Oneida Fire District, the Idaho Transportation Department, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and the Bannock County Sheriff’s Office.

MALTA, Idaho (KIFI) — Fire crews and emergency responders across southeastern Idaho are actively monitoring and responding to multiple wildfires that broke out Saturday.

Here is what we know about the active blazes currently burning in the region:

The Gaston Fire (West of Aberdeen)

According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), an estimated 500-acre wildfire is currently burning roughly 13 miles northwest of Aberdeen.

Dubbed the Gaston Fire, the vegetation fire was first detected around 8:42 p.m. via satellite hotspots on NOAA’s Wildland Fire Data Portal. Details regarding ground response, containment, or potential structures threatened remain limited at this time.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

The Rice Fire (Malta Area)

Further south, crews from the Raft River Fire and Ambulance Protection District are battling a blaze north of Highway 77 near Malta.

The Rice Fire was first reported on Saturday at 2:06 p.m. According to WildCAD data, the fire had grown to approximately 50 acres by 5:00 p.m. Officials with the protection district confirmed that both ground and air resources are actively deployed on the scene.

With help from localized rainfall, crews successfully knocked down the fire Saturday evening.

“With some good rain and multiple airplane drops, the fire was shut down quickly and effectively,” the Raft River Fire and Ambulance Protection District shared in an update around 9:30 p.m.

The cause of the Rice Fire remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide updates as new information becomes available.

ABERDEEN, Idaho (KIFI) — Wildland fire crews are actively battling the fast-moving Gaston Fire, which exploded to an estimated 700 acres overnight in eastern Idaho.

The fire was first detected around 8:42 p.m. Saturday via satellite hotspots on NOAA’s Wildland Fire Data Portal. It is burning approximately seven miles southwest of Coffee Point and 12 miles northwest of Aberdeen.

As of midnight, the fire remains active in high-grass and brush, according to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service (USWFS). Firefighting efforts have been hindered by gusty winds and rugged terrain.

Firefighters from the USWFS Great Basin Unit 3 (East Idaho/Idaho Falls) are on scene alongside multiple partner agencies, including the U.S. Forest Service (Caribou-Targhee National Forest) and Aberdeen Fire Department. Both ground and overhead personnel are actively on the scene.

Fire crews currently estimate full containment by 10 p.m. Sunday. A timeline for full control of the fire remains unknown.

Wildland Fire Crews emphasize that public and firefighter safety is their top priority, urging people to stay clear of the area to allow crews room to work. Authorities also issued a strong warning against operating personal drones in the area.

“IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T. Remember that if you fly a drone over a fire, critical operations get suspended,” states the post.