Inside a racing inferno

Deadly flood

BALD EAGLE THREAT Birds dying from lead in bullets

Flash flood kills 9 in Arizona PAGE A8

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MOSTLY SUNNY 90 • 57 FORECAST, A10

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MONDAY, JULY 17, 2017

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magicvalley.com

Refugees come before Twin Falls Council for proclamation HEATHER KENNISON

hkennison@magicvalley.com

TWIN FALLS — It’s been 15 years since Mirsad Kadric arrived in Twin Falls as a Bosnian refugee.

He still finds July to be a difficult, emotional month. On Tuesday, Kadric and other Bosnian refugees in Twin Falls remembered the thousands killed by Bosnian Serb forces in the Srebrenica massacre, July 11, 1995.

It’s a genocide that has been recognized at the federal level, and on Monday, Twin Falls Mayor Shawn Barigar is expected to read a proclamation recognizing the week of July 11, 2017, as Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Week.

Kadric expects more than 20 others to join him in supporting the proclamation.

“Maybe three to four people will say something,” he said. “Anybody who want to come, they can come.”

Liyah Babayan helped draft the proclamation based on those that have been read in Congress, the U.S. Senate and other U.S. cities. Babayan arrived in Twin Falls in 1992 as a refugee from the killings in Azerbaijan, but she sympathizes with the Bosnian refugees.

“Genocide really is the lowest point of human evil,” Babayan said.

The proclamation the City Council will hear Monday provides a venue for Bosnian refugees to share their story and begin to get closure, she said.

“This event that was so far from here is a part of Twin Falls’ narrative, too,” Babayan said.

The recognition of atrocities that happened is “a very bittersweet duty that survivors of genocide have.”

The proclamation takes place at the

PAT SUTPHIN PHOTOS, TIMES-NEWS

Range recovery people perform a fire recovery assessment Thursday near the Notch Butte in Shoshone.

Inside a racing inferno How firefighters fought to save Shoshone HEATHER KENNISON

hkennison@magicvalley.com

SHOSHONE — Prevailing through blowing ash and dust, firefighters corralled the lightning-caused Antelope Fire away from a train stopped 2 1/2 miles north, at the Tunupa crossing.

Throughout the night of July 9, they kept the wind-driven flames to a 400acre area. Already, the fire had leapt over Highway 26, driven by steady 25 mph winds.

By the next morning, crews felt they were making good headway. The Bureau of Land Management’s mobile attack made slow but steady progress over the lava rock-encrusted terrain.

But then the wind changed direction.

And it was pushing the fire east, toward Shoshone. Within an hour, it blazed within a mile of the city.

Despite the long night, Fire Operations Officer Dustin Williams — on incident command — was quick to call for backup.

“We ordered just a ton of resources,” he said. “This fire became a really high priority because of the town of Shoshone.”

With assistance from aircraft dropping fire retardant, the BLM Twin Falls District ground crews just stopped the fire from entering town — in some places, it came as close as 100 yards.

“We didn’t lose one structure,” Wil-

Please see REFUGEES, Page A4

Trump lawyer: Nothing illegal in Russia meeting

Engine Captain Nick Mink walks back to his truck after repairing a fence Thursday at the site of the Antelope Fire in Shoshone. The fence was cut by firefighting crews so they could create a fire line with a bulldozer. liams said.

And having no injuries reported, the operation was considered a success. The Antelope Fire had burned nearly 30,000 acres by the time it was finally contained.

On Thursday, as fire crews mopped up the rest of the hot spots, Williams described how the Antelope Fire spread so quickly and got so close to destroying homes, businesses and a power substa-

tion.

Rock, wind and smoke

It was about 6:30 p.m. July 9 when BLM Twin Falls District got the call of lightning starting a fire 5 miles west of Shoshone.

“At the time this one started, we also had two other major large fires in the

ASSOCIATED PRESS

the Senate to move quickly, holding a vote as soon as McCain returns. But amid growing public unease over the bill, some Republicans suggested the delay will make McConnell’s task of winning enough support even harder.

In a Senate divided 52-48 between Republicans and Democrats, McConnell can lose no more than two GOP votes and still prevail.

“There are about eight to 10 Republican senators who have serious concerns about this bill. And so at the end of the day, I don’t know whether it will

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s attorney insisted Sunday there was nothing illegal in the meeting Trump’s eldest son had with a Russian lawyer during last year’s presidential campaign.

Donald Trump Jr.’s willingness to meet with the lawyer in the expectation of receiving incriminating information about Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has raised new questions about possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. The information had been described as “part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.”

Trump Jr. The president’s attorney, Jay Sekulow, defended Trump and his son in a series of appearances Sunday on five television networks.

“Nothing in that meeting that would have taken place, even if it was about the topic of an opposition research paper from a Russian lawyer, is illegal or a violation of the

Please see SENATE, Page A4

Please see TRUMP, Page A4

Please see INFERNO, Page A5

Senate again delays vote on GOP health bill McCain undergoes surgery HOPE YEN AND ERICA WERNER

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Senate delayed a highly anticipated vote this coming week to repeal and replace the nation’s health care law after Sen. John McCain’s announced absence due to surgery, an enormous setback as time dwindles for Republicans to pass the signature legislation after years of promises.

The decision by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell late Saturday came not long after McCain’s office disclosed that he had undergone surgery to

remove a blood clot from above his left eye. He’s expected to be out for the week, recovering in Arizona.

Adding to the uncertainty, the Congressional Budget Office also indicated on Sunday it no longer expected to release its analysis on McCain Monday on the estimated cost and scope of insurance coverage under the latest GOP bill, which has the support of President Donald Trump.

The No. 2 Senate GOP leader, John Cornyn of Texas, said he still expected

 If you do one thing: The summer movie series will feature “Hotel Transylvania” and “Kubo and The Two

Strings” at 10 a.m. at Magic Valley Cinema 13 in Twin Falls. Tickets are $1 and are available at the box office.

$1.50

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OBITUARIES

Times-News

TO DO FOR YOU

OBITUARIES

Blood drives‌

Mildred Wilson

‌TWIN FALLS—Mildred was born in Twin Falls during the flu epidemic in 1918. She was the daughter of Rock Creek pioneers Ellen Larsen Brose and Walter Brose.

She graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1936.

She fell in love with the boy across the street, Robert Wilson, and they were married in August 1941 She was gifted with numbers and worked as a bookkeeper for a local car dealer and Dr. Hoss.

When the war was over she and Bob raised a family of 4 and built the Wilson Planing mill and cabinet shop. She spent countless hours as a 4-H leader, church treasurer, PTA president, music club president and on call child care provider for family. She was a lifetime baseball fan rooting for the Mariners until her death. She took great joy in flowers especially her beloved sweet peas and iris. Numerous hours were spent watching the hummingbirds feeding. She enjoyed playing bridge until the age of 90.

She was always creative sewing, knitting and cooking for her large extended family. We will miss her popcorn balls, fudge and honey cookies. Mildred was never one to boast about her family but loved holding and being with her nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Nothing gave her more joy than our large family gatherings.

She was proceeded in death by her parents Ellen Larsen Brose and Walter Brose, her sister Virginia Brose Freestone, husband Robert Wilson, and her son James Wilson. She is survived by: her sister Ruth Brose Lindgren of Twin Falls, brother-in-law Jack Wilson, children; Marjorie (Richard) Russell of Kimberly, John (Marta) Wilson of Kent Washington and Susan Wilson of Beaverton Oregon, daughter-in-law Jeanne Wilson Rutledge, her grandchildren; Michelle Anderson, Nikki Shaffer, Josh Wilson, Michael Wilson, Sara Wilson, Kayla Wilson as well as 11 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

SERVICES Arvil Bunn‌

Larry Voss‌

BURLEY — Arvil Bunn memorial service at 11 a.m.

Monday, July 17 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, View Church, 554 S 490 E, Burley, Idaho. Arrangements are under the direction of Rasmussen Funeral Home.

BUHL — Larry Voss, 79, of Buhl. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Thursday July 20, 2017 at the First Christian Church in Buhl. A viewing will be 5 -7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at Farmer Funeral Chapel in Buhl.

Norma Shaw‌

R U P E R T— M e m o r i a l gathering will be held at 2 p.m. Friday July 21, 2017 at Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

JEROME — Norma Shaw funeral service at 11 a.m.

Tuesday, July 18 at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, 2466 Addison Ave E with a viewing at 10 a.m. prior to the service.

Damon Payne‌

RUPERT—Damon Payne funeral at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18 at Grace Community Church, 100 N Meridian, Rupert. Visitation is Monday, July 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Hansen Mortuary in Rupert.

Charles E. Smith, MD‌

BOISE—Charles E. Smith, MD of Boise and Twin Falls. The family will hold a private funeral service. Relatives, colleagues and friends are invited to celebrate his life at Crane Creek Country Club in Boise at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 19th. (Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel 5400 Fairview Avenue, Boise, ID)

Gordon D Vibbert‌

Mildred Wilson‌

TWIN FALLS—Mildred Wilson, graveside celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday July 22, 2017, at Sunset Memorial Park.

Clarence Kay Franks‌

RUPERT—Clarence Kay Franks of Oakley and Rupert, celebration of life at 2 p.m. Saturday July 22, 2017 at the Carson residence, 961 S 50 W Burley, Idaho. A light lunch will be served after the celebration

William B Bartlett‌

RUPERT—William B Bartlett memorial services at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22, 2017 at the Rupert United Methodist Church 605 H St Rupert, Idaho. Urn Burial Geraldine Worden‌ will be held 11 a.m. Monday TWIN FALLS — Geral- July 24, 2017 at Idaho Boise dine Worden memorial ser- Veterans Cemetery. (Joel vice at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Heward Hansen Mortuary) July 19, at Reynolds Funeral Chapel, 2466 Addison Ave Mary Lou Matthews‌ E in Twin Falls.

BURLEY—Mary Lou Matthews, celebration of Mary’s joining her loved Manuela R Flores‌ RUPERT—Manuela R ones at 11 a.m. Saturday, Flores funeral mass at July 22, at The Church of 11 a.m. Thursday July 20, Jesus Christ of Latter-day 2017 at St Nicholas Cath- Saints—Springdale chapel, olic Church. Viewing with 519 E. 200 S., of Burley.

Rosary is from 6-8 p.m. Visitation is at the church Wednesday, July 19, 2017 beginning at 10 a.m. prior at the church. (Joel Heward to the service. (Rasmussen Hansen Mortuary) Funeral Home)

DEATHS ‌William B Bartlett, 92, of Rupert passed away March 23, 2017 in Yuma Arizona. Services are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

John Pearson, 72, of

Twin Falls passed away on July 15, 2017. Arrangements are pending under the direction of Parke’s Magic Valley Funeral Home of Twin Falls.

Visit us at magicvalley.com M 1

Monday, July 17, 2017 | A5

olence. at Canyons Retirement Information: 208-733- Community, 1215 Cheney The American Red Cross 2558.

Drive W., Twin Falls. will hold blood drives this The free community edweek in Twin Falls and ucational program is preWendell. sented by Alzheimer’s AsBlood donation opSt. Luke’s Magic Valley sociation, Greater Idaho portunities are available Medical Center’s prepared Chapter. from 1 to 6:15 p.m. Mon- childbirth classes, 6:30 to Topics: Detection, day at The Church of Je- 9 p.m. Tuesdays, July 18 causes and risk factors, sus Christ of Latter-day through Aug. 15, in Oak stages of the disease, and Saints, 605 N. Idaho St., Rooms 2-4 on the lower treatment.

Wendell; and 9:30 a.m. level of St. Luke’s, 801 Reservations are reto 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Pole Line Road W., Twin quested: 208-206-0041 The Church of Jesus Falls. or jmmiller@alz.org.

Christ of Latter-day Topics: Wellness during Saints, 2085 S. Temple pregnancy; labor and deRoad, Twin Falls. livery process with reBlood and platelet do- laxation and breathing Visions of Hope” meetcaesarean ing, 5 p.m. every Thursday nors of all blood types are techniques; needed. To schedule an birth; postpartum care at Hospice Visions, 1770 appointment to donate, for mother and newborn; Park View Drive, Twin use the free blood donor infant CPR; car seat and Falls. app, visit redcrossblood. home safety; and a tour This grief support group org or call 800-733-2767. of the maternal and child is open to everyone in the Completion of a Rapid- units. Bring a labor-sup- community.

Pass online health history port person if possible.

Information: 208-735questionnaire is encourCost is $25 for a five- 0121. week session. Pre-regisaged. tration is required: 208814-0402.

Childbirth‌

Grief support‌

Eastland Drive, Twin Falls.

Anyone who has lost a loved one or friend is welcome to attend. A separate class for pre-teen and teens will meet at the same time. Participants can attend any session.

Enter through the east doors at the rear of the building.

Information: 208-7374667.

CPR, first aid‌

St. Luke’s Magic Valley Education Department is offering a Heartsaver Pediatric CPR, First Aid and AED class, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday at the Learning Center, 840 Meadows Suite 2, Twin Falls.

The course provides training for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid and using an automated external defibrillator.

Cost is $60. Pre-registration is required, 208Mental Health Sup- 814-9050. port Group will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays at 826 Eastland Drive in Twin Falls.

“Child and Babysitting The free support group Safety” training for ages is open to Magic Valley 11-16, 9 a.m. to noon July 26 at College of Southern residents.

Information: 208-539- Idaho’s Jerome Center.

7492.

Instructors are Aaron and Christina Keyes.

Topics: Fundamentals of caring for children of different age groups, safety, injury prevenFree asthma educa- tion, and “babysitting tion class for patients as a business,” including and caregivers to assess leadership, preparation and manage asthma will techniques, and commube from 6 to 8 p.m. Thurs- nicating with parents. day.

Cost is $42, and inThe class is presented cludes course book, twoby St. Luke’s Magic Val- year certification card, ley and meets on the third and first aid kit. Register: Thursday of each month. communityed.csi.edu or Pre-registration is re- 208-324-5101. quired. To register and for location of the class: 208- “To do for you” is a listing 814-8765. of health-related activities, events and education. Submit information by noon Thursday for publication in Griefshare meeting, the following Monday’s edi6:30 p.m. Thursdays at tion to ramona@magicvalLighthouse Church, 960 ley.com.

Mental health Parenting, support‌ coping support‌ Victims support‌ Voices Against Violence is offering support groups at 212 Second Ave. W., No. 200, Twin Falls.

Parenting Group, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, to help improve parenting skills as well as learn rewards and consequences.

“Mas alla de mi, Empoderando a las Mujeres” domestic violence group in Spanish, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Mondays, for those who have been involved in an abusive or traumatic relationship, and also helps women develop a support system.

The Power to Change Group, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, provides information and support to women 18 and older, who have experienced difficulties in coping with past experiences.

Domestic Violence Support Group, 6 to 8 p.m.

Thursdays, provides information and community to individuals 18 and older, who have experienced domestic abuse or gender vi-

Support group for victims of domestic violence, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday at the Mini-Cassia Shelter Haven of Hope, 323 First St., Rupert.

Information: Rachel, 208-312-7021.

Alzheimer’s support‌ Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Idaho Chapter’s Caregiver Support Group meeting, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Twin Falls Senior Center, 530 Shoshone St. W. The group meets on the third Wednesday every month.

Information: Pattie Dennis, 208-734-4264 or 208-539-4290.

Alzheimer’s seminar‌ “Basics of Alzheimers, Memory Loss and Dementia,” 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday

Child safety‌

Asthma education‌

Grief support‌

Inferno From A1

district,” Williams said. “We had a lot of resources out.”

Not only that, but the BLM had just been assisting the city fire department with a fire north of town. They sent engines out to the new fire immediately.

“When I arrived on scene, I estimated it at about 60 to 80 acres, and it was a running fire,” he said. “The wind was pushing it at a pretty good pace.”

The fire was headed northwest, toward Highway 26. The BLM started a backburn along the road, hoping to absorb the fire’s fuel and oxygen before it could jump the highway.

By starting their own fire, “It gives them the ability to control the intensity of the fire,” BLM spokeswoman Kelsey Brizendine said.

“They’re working with nature to help control that.”

It worked.

But moments later, the National Weather Service in Boise called with an update: The wind was going to shift, pushing the fire due north.

“Fire loves wind. It loves it,” Brizendine said. “I’ve seen a fire jump the Snake River because wind was so strong.”

Notch Butte Rangeland Fire Protection Association, Sawtooth National Forest, and rural Shoshone and Dietrich fire departments assisted throughout the night as lava rock punctured tires.

With a larger area to head off, fire crews could not prevent the Antelope Fire from casting its embers across the highway, spreading.

Smoke was so thick, police closed the road while crews cut a barbed-wire fence for a dozer to get through the rangeland. The dozer created a dusty pathway along the sides of the Antelope Fire.

“The whole intent is to try to keep the fire as skinny and narrow as possible,” Williams said.

As night fell, air resources were sent back to Boise, Po-

PAT SUTPHIN, TIMES-NEWS‌

A spot where the fire jumped the fire line can be seen Thursday, July 13, 2017, at the site of the Antelope Fire in Shoshone. The retardant that was airdropped is a mixture of clay, fertilizer and water dyed red so the planes can see it. Kelsey Brizendine, prevention and fire information officer of the Bureau of Land Management, says the retardant is not used for putting out fires. ‘It’s major purpose is to prevent spread and slow down the intensity of the fire,’ she says. catello and Twin Falls. Now, it was all up to the ground crews to protect a train that had been stopped, with fire quickly approaching it. Homes to the east, near Gooding, were also in possible danger.

“It was intense, to say the least,” Williams said.

In general, fires tend to sort of “lie down at night,” Brizendine said. But the Antelope Fire kept running.

“I’m not used to seeing how fast it’s moving,” said crew member Liz Laidig, who was fighting her fifthever fire. “The difficult part was definitely the learning curve.”

Walking directly into the fire, she worked secondary nozzle to wet down the area.

Unlike structure firefighters, BLM crews wear minimal clothing and no oxygen masks.

“We’re all about mobility, so we don’t have as much protection,” Engine Capt.

David Brizendine said. “It’s all about speed.”

The smoke can get thick — but in the outdoors, there are pockets of fresh air.

Part of Williams’ job was to ensure firefighters were getting enough breaks for fresh air.

“There were times when

you didn’t feel like you were getting any oxygen, you were only getting smoke,” Laidig said.

In what Williams described as a “massive windstorm,” the fire changed directions again about noon July 10, this time too quickly for the mobile attack to keep up. Highway 24 and U.S. 93 were closed from Shoshone, as the Antelope Fire jumped the road and roared east.

“It was a big air show — retardant after retardant drop,” Williams said.

A mix of red clay, fertilizer and water, the retardant’s tell-tale red color helps pilots see it from the air. It acts to give vegetation a waxy cover, cooling it down and making it harder for fire to dry out, effectively lowering a fire’s intensity and preventing it from spreading.

After-effects‌

As fire season continues, the BLM Twin Falls District has preemptively brought in additional engines from Salmon, Utah and Wyoming. If the Antelope Fire is any indication, the Magic Valley could be in for a big fire season.

On Thursday, a vole poked along the red-spattered sidewalk in front of

Family Dollar.

A few minutes later, another followed.

These were survivors of the Antelope. Not far away, the bodies of other furry rodents caked the asphalt of U.S. 93 — a mass exodus stopped in its tracks.

Pests have become a big problem in Shoshone this week, Williams said. As large numbers of voles came out of their burrows, they headed for new places to forage. Drawn to the influx of prey, some opportunistic birds have gotten so fat, they can hardly fly, Williams said.

Other remaining signs of the week’s events: lines of retardant striped across U.S. 93 and the wildlands south of Shoshone. At Family Dollar, one of Shoshone’s outermost buildings, the roof, parking lot and vehicles had been splotched red by retardant.

“We never intentionally do this,” Kelsey Brizendine explained. The fire had simply gotten too close.

The BLM had helped with some cleanup, but there was still much left to do.

A small price to pay, given the 29,000 acres of blackened brush less than a halfmile away.