Coeur d’Alene, ID – Independence Day sparked more than national pride at Kidd Island this year, now Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) fire investigators need your help in identifying the cause of a fire.

Crews from Idaho Department of Lands, Mica Kidd Fire District, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and East Side Fire District responded to the 1.5-acre fire above the Kidd Island beach.

Given the steep slope, suppressing the fire quickly before it could spread required the help of two helicopters which made about 40 water drops and multiple fire boats.

Passengers on nearly 200 boats watched fire crews battle the blaze and may hold the key to solving the investigation.

“If you were near the Kidd Island beach on the Fourth of July, prior to about 4 pm, please contact us. Tell us if you saw anything suspicious or anyone in the area who may have started the fire,” said IDL fire investigator Scott Burnside.

“We’re working to identify any campers or boaters who may have been in the immediate area of the fire and obtain photos of incident which may have been taken shortly after the fire ignited,” added Burnside. “Any information you can provide will help us conclude this investigation.”

IDL’s fire investigation team can be reached by calling (208) 666-8697. Photos can be emailed to sburnside@idl.idaho.gov.

IDL investigates every wildfire occurring on the land it protects. For human-caused fires started negligently, the agency pursues civil actions to recover suppression costs and economic damages. Since IDL has no authority to pursue criminal charges, the agency works closely with the Idaho State Fire Marshall to investigate all cases of suspected arson and hold arsonists fully accountable under the law.