According to Troyce Miskin, deputy chief of the Madison Fire Department, a structure fire south of Rexburg destroyed eight structures near the Wind Willows RV Park, and residents were evacuated on Wednesday.

A press release sent out by the Madison Fire Department said the department responded to a reported structure fire off the Yellowstone Highway on Wednesday at 6:16 p.m. on Wednesday. The release added that upon the fire crew's arrival, a structure was fully involved with fire, along with multiple other locations and surrounding vegetation.

Madison Fire Department's press release said residents of the Wind Willows RV Park have been evacuated and are not allowed back in their homes due to heavy smoke. The release added that electricity in the Thornton area is out and won't be restored until approximately 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Miskin said the fire started with an outdoor cooking fire that spread through the cottonwoods, grass and brush, and to the structures. He added that the department has counted eight improvements and buildings that have been destroyed, but that they were able to save many other structures, people's personal property and homes.

Miskin said that the fire is contained and that there have been no casualties or injuries, and the department requests that everyone stay away from the area.

"We're asking residents and the general public to stay away; it's not a safe scene to be in," Miskin said. "We do have many buildings that are still smoldering, smoking and on fire. There are lots of trip and other hazards, and lots of smoke in the area. So we're asking them to stay away."

Hunter Dragovich, a BYU-Idaho graphic design and photography alumnus, said he was driving back from Idaho Falls to his home in Rexburg around 5:30 p.m. when he saw smoke on the highway. He said he ran home to grab film for his camera and later arrived near the site to take photos.

"I was kind of shocked," Dragovich said. "I was driving home, and I was like, 'Man, I hope that's not my house.' ... It's not something you usually see. It's a big black plume of smoke. You can see the flames at the top of the trees, hoping that they won't spread.

Miskin expressed sympathy and urged those in the Rexburg area to be cautious with their use of fire this summer.

"We're sad any time these types of things happen," Miskin said. "This is going to be a very dangerous fire season for us. We've seen it already. We just ask people to exercise extreme caution when using fire in any manner, outdoors or indoors."

The fire department's press release included the following sources for public and updated incident information:

• warn.pbs.org
  Select the “FIRE WARNING” issued by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
• Madison County Sheriff Idaho
• Madison Fire Department

The press release also included the following primary emergency operations center phone line for public use. It will be available until midnight on Wednesday evening and again at 7 a.m. on Thursday. The primary emergency center phone line can be reached at 208-248-4601.