STAR, Idaho – The Middleton-Star Fire District held a fundraiser Friday through Sunday to collect money, gift cards and supplies for a firefighter who lost his home in a wildfire.

Idaho and Oregon have been burning for over a month, with several large fires, but firefighters managed to protect buildings until a volunteer firefighter’s house near Ola burned to the ground.

We asked the Middleton-Star Fire District on Sunday how the fundraiser is going for a firefighter from Parma who volunteered to help with the Paddock Fire.

“The public has been very generous in donating items to the family and the firefighters who are out there battling the fire today,” said Liz Bolts of the Middleton-Star Fire District. “There are over 200 people out there at the Paddock Fire alone.”

The Paddock Fire was sparked by a lightning strike on Monday but spread quickly. Nearly 200,000 acres had burned by Sunday morning, but firefighters have made initial progress in containing the fire, as it is now five percent contained.

The new fire chief held a public meeting in Emmett Saturday evening as this fire required evacuations, closed roads, contributed to poor air quality in the state, burned down a volunteer firefighter’s home, and the fire chief informed us the fire is 91 miles wide.

The fundraiser picked up speed over the weekend and Liz Bolts is overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Idaho.

“I don’t know how much was raised, but I know the response was overwhelming,” Bolts said. “Thank you to the Middleton Star community and everyone else in the Treasure Valley who donated. We are so proud of the place we live.”

The action ended on Sunday, but if you would like to help the volunteer firefighters, you can contact the Parma Fire Department.