Northwest briefs September 2, 2013

Smokejumper injured on Montana-Idaho border

WEST YELLOWSTONE, Mont. - A smokejumper remained hospitalized Sunday after sustaining a hip injury parachuting into rugged backcountry on the Montana-Idaho border to battle the Two Top Fire.

Fire spokeswoman Marianne Baumberger said the elite smokejumper was injured during the initial attack Friday on the fire that's burning on the Continental Divide.

She said the smokejumper had to be flown out by helicopter and was in stable condition Sunday.

She said about 100 firefighters are on the ground battling the fire that's about six miles from Yellowstone National Park. Several helicopters and single-engine air tankers are also assigned to the 130-acre blaze that started Friday.

She said the fire isn't threatening any homes and U.S. Highway 20 that leads to the park is open.

Fire chief wants wood shingles banned

KETCHUM - A central Idaho fire chief said he will be "fighting tooth and nail" to ban wood shingles on new construction in the wake of a massive wildfire that threatened the resort area.

"The wood shingles have got to go," Ketchum Fire Chief Mike Elle said.

The 174-square-mile Beaver Creek Fire burning through Greenhorn Gulch on Aug. 15 destroyed one home but firefighters saved 30 others. He said flammable roofs put firefighters in danger and slowed response times to other homes.

- The Associated Press