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Beaver Creek wildfire in Sun Valley, Idaho, burns 100,000-plus acres

BOISE, Idaho, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- Crews in Idaho worked to control wildfires across the state, including the Beaver Creek wildfire threatening 5,000 homes in tony Sun Valley, officials said.

The Beaver Creek wildfire has consumed more than 100,000 acres since it was ignited more than two weeks ago by lightning, CNN reported Monday. Officials said it was only 9 percent contained.

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Sun Valley is home to many expensive homes, including second homes reportedly owned by actors Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis.

Firefighters have a mixed blessing with rain forecast for the next few days -- the rain will help douse flames but lightning may spark new fires, CNN reported.

Idaho Gov. Butch Otter praised the crews.

"They look the worst for wear but you see that smile come across their face and their attitude about how they're being treated and how they're being supported by our local folks, by the county folks, the city folks [and] the state department of lands," he said.

At least nine fires have burned 407,883 acres across Idaho, which has the most wildfire activity of any state, Boise-based National Interagency Fire Center said.

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In Oregon, meanwhile, a brush fire in Polk County destroyed a family's private vineyard, CNN reported. Fire officials said they think it was sparked when the vineyard's owner struck rocks with a lawn mower.

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