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IONA, Idaho (KIFI)– A shed fire has been successfully contained after the Idaho Falls Fire Department responded to a structure fire around 11:55 a.m. today in the backyard of a home in Iona.

3 fire engines and 2 ambulances arrived on the scene. Firefighters successfully contained the fire and prevented it from spreading to nearby structures. Local law enforcement provided traffic control support during the incident.

Crews conducted primary searches of both the shed and the residence to ensure no occupants were inside. No one was in the shed or residence, and both structures were confirmed clear.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and remains under investigation.

Estimated damage is approximately $40,000. The contents of the shed are also unknown at this time.

If the rain and colder temperatures last week weren’t your favorite kind of weather conditions, you are in luck. As we start off the week, we’ll climb back into the 70s for the next few afternoons, with clear skies and mostly sunny conditions. A brief hiatus from the stormy weather, however, will come to an end by Wednesday, when we’ll return to rain and gusty conditions.

We start off Monday morning with a small freeze, but quickly warm up as the sun rises. A major warm-up will begin this mid-morning and continue into the afternoon, with high-pressure amplifying and returning temperatures to the 70s in the lower valleys. Overnight temperatures will dip into the lower 40s, with mountainous regions slightly above freezing. This pattern will carry over into Tuesday’s forecast as well. No major concerns for the next few days, but breezy, wet conditions will return by the middle of the week. No wind concerns, around 15-20 mph in most areas across the region. Little to no precipitation is expected on this mild Monday.

Tuesday afternoon will still bring above-average temperatures, with places along the Snake River Plain reaching the mid- to upper 70s. By Tuesday evening, a major system will move in from the Pacific coast, bringing cooler temperatures and increased rain showers around Eastern Idaho for Wednesday.

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – In honor of celebrating Earth Day this weekend, 70 organizations, businesses, agencies and vendors set up at Lookout Point in downtown Pocatello for the annual Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair.

The event brings people together to walk through vendors and learn about local organizations promoting environmental awareness. Fries were available from Lamb Weston as well as hot dogs for attendees. Live music added to the joyful atmosphere at the Lookout pavillion.

Idaho State University students from the nursing program also got involved at today’s event.

“We actually split into two groups to be able to go to two different events,” said Hailey Bernard, an ISU nursing student. “We all chose to come to the environmental fair because we wanted to be a part of all this, so we’re out here taking vitals for the community.”

Around 4,000 total people attend the environmental fair, which ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

“We’ll check blood pressure, your pulse, your oxygen saturation,” added Bernard. “And then how fast you’re breathing and all those work together just to help see how well your body is functioning. It’s just good to know, and so important to stay on top of it and know when things change.”

Many Pocatello and Chubbuck organizations were in attendance offering hands-on activities for children, providing giveaways and prizes. Their purpose is to teach people about protecting the Portneuf Valley for generations to come.

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – Ice skating and ice hockey are two of the world’s lesser known sports, however there are clubs providing athletes the opportunity to play them right here in Idaho Falls. Expenses for ice time are steep, with tonight’s “Ice Gala” serving as a fundraiser for the Idaho Falls Figure Skating as well as the Snake River Youth Hockey Association.

The masquerade-themed ball was held at the Elks Lodge in Idaho Falls. The goal is to keep the sports affordable for local families.

“I think that what a lot of people don’t realize is when you have an athlete in a sport like this, you’re not just paying for your kid’s time on the ice,” said Sydnee Nethery with Idaho Falls Figure Skating. “The organizations have to meet anywhere from $215 to $300 every hour that they’re on the ice. And so that adds up weekly to thousands between the two organizations.”

They like to provide athletes with training opportunities, even bringing in Olympians. In order to continue these programs and allow competition at larger tournaments, the clubs host events like the Ice Gala to fundraise.

“We would love to be able to have an ice rink that has ice year round in this area. There’s one in Rexburg but we’d like one in Idaho Falls,” said Darby Heyrend with Snake River Youth Hockey Association. “Our mission is just to keep the kids on the ice and out of trouble, keep them interested in sports and keep life positive for them.”

For the young athletes within these programs, it’s about more than honing their craft and competing with passion.

“I think that between the two organizations, they learn so much more than just how to play hockey or figure skate through working with a team,” Nethery added. “You learn accountability and learn responsibility, things like that. For the figure skaters, they learn all the performance skills that will carry them through one day leading a meeting in a boardroom or being able to connect themselves in a way that represents them and their organization really well. So the lessons they learn go far beyond the ice, and that’s what’s really important.”

To donate to Idaho Falls Figure Skating, you can visit https://www.idahofallsfsc.org/.

To donate to Snake River Youth Hockey Association, you can visit https://www.yetishockey.com/.