The department said on X, formerly Twitter, that crews were conducting “proactive fire operations” so they could protect the containment lines that had been set up around the growing Valley Fire. Boise Fire said it appreciated the “concerned calls” but wanted to assure residents they weren’t seeing a change in the fire’s behavior toward the city.

The Valley Fire sparked early Friday morning and has already burned thousands of acres in the Boise foothills with nearby residents urged to be prepared to evacuate.

A fire burning Friday morning in the Boise Foothills near the edge of the city prompted the Boise Fire Department to issue a Code Red pre-evacuation notice. The notice was sent at 9 a.m. to all residents on Highland Valley Road and residents along Warm Springs Avenue from East Sky Bar Street to Idaho 21.

Residents react to the Valley fire burning thousands of acres in the Boise foothills. The huge plumes of smoke are visible from across the Treasure Valley.