[3] Up until a few years prior to the fire, the area was often saturated by heavy rains which spurred the growth of shrubs and dense snowpack which crushed the foliage and helped it decompose.

But because there hadn't been snow, the bushes and grasses remained in an upright position which helped the fire spread more rapidly.

Much of the area was covered in sagebrush and native grasses which were unable, due to the dry conditions, to produce the typical seedling coverage witnessed in the past.

By July 12, the blaze had burned over 560,000 acres, destroyed hundreds of utility poles as well as a Department of Transportation building in Basque.

[1] In all, approximately 500 firefighters fought the blaze, assisted by 6 helicopters, 89 fire engines, 7 bulldozers, 15 water tenders.