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IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As temperatures plunge across Eastern Idaho, locals are looking for any way to stay warm. However, the Idaho Falls Fire Department is issuing a stern warning: your efforts to keep warm could be putting your home at risk.

Winter is peak season for structure fires, with space heaters as the main culprit. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, from 2017-2019, space heaters were involved in about 3% of all home heating fires, including 41% of fatal house fires.

While Local News 8 has already reported on several house fires in surrounding areas this month, Idaho Falls has narrowly avoided similar tragedies. According to IFFD Fire Marshal Jim Newton, the danger often lies in the home’s electrical capacity rather than the heater itself.

“The thing we see with space heaters is that they’re typically overloaded, so most houses aren’t built to have multiple space heaters on one circuit,” said Jim Newton, Fire Marsha for the Idaho Falls Fire Department. “So what we find is people put too many space heaters either on a power strip or too many into an outlet, and then they put them too close to other objects, which are then heated up and cause fires.”

When these circuits overheat, or when a heater is placed too close to flammable objects like curtains or furniture, the results can be instantaneous and devastating.

The IFFD recommends all Idahoans take the following precautions:

• The Three-Foot Rule: Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Plug Directly into Walls: Never use extension cords or power strips for heating units.
• Test Your Alarms: Ensure smoke detectors are functional. While many people test them during daylight saving time, Newton emphasizes that it is never too late to check.
• Clear the Area: Ensure children and pets are kept away from high-heat sources.

Newton advises Idahoans to make sure smoke alarms are tested. It’s often recommended to check those at the time change, but if you haven’t, it’s never too late to check them. He says early warning and detection are key to life-saving measures.

UPDATED:

As of 4:27 PM, all power has been restored. According to Idaho Falls Power, it will take several hours to set a new pole.

UPDATED:

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Power has been restored to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and several surrounding neighborhoods after a vehicle crashed into a major utility pole near Sandcreek Golf Course. Idaho Falls Power warns residents should prepare for a second planned service interruption later tonight.

As of 3:03 PM, Idaho Falls Power officials confirmed that while electricity is back on for the majority of affected customers, crews must initiate secondary outage tonight to replace an 80-foot transmission pole damaged in the collision.

“That outage should only be a couple of hours and I’m working with Rocky Mountain power to get their lines energized,” said Lerwill. “We’re looking at approx a 7 hour timeframe to get the pole changed out.”

The Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, which was caught in the initial blackout, has returned to normal operations following a successful transition to emergency power. Hospital spokesperson Colleen Neimann confirmed that the facility used backup systems to maintain essential medical services and ensure patient safety throughout the duration of the disruption.

The incident began earlier today when a vehicle struck the utility pole along East Sunnyside Road, causing an immediate loss of power for several businesses and neighborhoods across Idaho Falls and Ammon.

Sarah Wheeler of Idaho Falls Power reported that dispatchers are still tallying the total number of affected residents, and the specific cause of the crash remains under investigation. Utility providers are asking the community for continued patience as crews work through the night to complete the permanent infrastructure repairs.

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

As we approach “Part 2” of the winter storm systems today and Saturday, temperatures across the region will drop, and snow levels will rise in the highlands. Scattered thunderstorms swept through the valley this Friday afternoon, causing slick roads, sleet, and high winds.

A winter storm warning and advisory was placed into effect by the National Weather Service for the Centennial Mountains and Island Park area. Heavy snow is expected, with total snow accumulations ranging from 5 to 10 inches and winds gusting up to 35 mph. Areas such as Stanley, Ketchum, Island Park, and Driggs, along with all our mountain passes, will see chances of significant snowfall, which could lead to slick travel conditions.

Some light snow is anticipated across all valley floors, including Snake Plain and eastern Magic Valley; however, accumulation is expected to be minimal. Please exercise extra caution when planning travel across the region on Friday and Saturday after Christmas, and check the latest forecasts and road conditions.

This winter weather advisory is in effect from 2 AM Friday through 5 AM MST Saturday. Residents should prepare for slippery roads, as hazardous conditions could significantly affect the Friday morning and evening commutes.

Rain and sleet are expected to move across the valley region this Friday afternoon and early evening. Temperatures are dropping as a cold front approaches this weekend, with highs in the upper 30s and gusts up to 30 mph. Rain and snow are likely tonight, with additional snowfall after midnight.

On Saturday, expect snow with a high of 34 degrees and wind gusts of 35-40 mph. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a low of 11 degrees. Sunday will be sunny, with a high of 27 degrees, followed by a chilly Monday morning with a low of 8 degrees. High temperatures at the start of the last week of the year will be in the lower 30s.

Looking ahead to next week, temperatures will gradually rise, but overnight lows will remain in the teens after Monday.

UPDATED:

Two civilians and a deputy were injured after a suspect opened fire inside the lobby of an Idaho sheriff’s office and on the street outside. Authorities say the suspected shooter was later shot and killed.

The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that the active shooter threat at the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office in Wallace has been neutralized, and there is no ongoing danger to the community.

Officials are still asking residents to avoid the area while the investigation remains active.

ORIGINAL:

SHOSHONE COUNTY, Idaho (KIFI) — Authorities in northern Idaho are responding to an active shooter at the Shoshone County Courthouse in Wallace, Idaho.

Preliminary details are still coming in, but the nearby Mineral County, Montana, Sheriff confirmed the online reports of the active situation on Facebook, asking the area residents to pray for all law enforcement.

“We are sending reinforcement to help our neighbor. Please pray for all law enforcement. And stay out of the downtown area in Wallace if possible,” states the sheriff’s post.

Reports by KREM 2 news in Spokane confirm that the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team is on the scene.

This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more details as they become available.