STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Prime your hoses.

Idaho has been ranked second in the nation for the risk of wildfire this coming summer.

Data analysts at Quote Wizard concluded that only Montana’s fire risk is higher.

Water levels are low across the state. And Blaine County, which experienced extreme drought last year, remains the spot with the most extreme conditions this year.

With drought entering its second year, 80 percent of Idaho is now experiencing drought compared with 42 percent last year and 5 percent the year before.

Other states in the top 10 are Colorado, California, New Mexico, Wyoming, Utah, Oklahoma, Oregon and Arizona. In Wyoming, for instance, ranchers are having to drive 300 miles out of their way to purchase hay at skyrocketing prices due to dry conditions.

REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION ON RIVER STREET FIRE

The Idaho State Fire Marshal is offering a $5,000 award for information leading to the individual or individuals responsible for setting the fire that destroyed the Croy Street Exchange Building in Hailey.

The fire was reported just after 5 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16. It had consumed the building by the time the first firefighters arrived on the scene moments later.

The building had been stripped, with work expected to begin the next day to build affordable workforce housing.

Investigators for the state and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms have determined the cause to be arson. Finding the culprit helps protect the community going forward, officials say, as the fire could have spread to a nearby gas station and other downtown buildings.

Those with information should call the state’s arson hotline at 1-877-75-ARSON.