Two Military Jets Crash Near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Sparking Brush Fire and Road Closures
Two military jets collided and crashed near Mountain Home Air Force Base on Saturday afternoon, prompting Idaho State Police to assist with road closures, limited evacuations, and traffic control as emergency crews responded to the scene and a resulting brush fire.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:13 p.m. on May 17 during what has been identified as a GunFighter Skies exercise associated with the 366th Fighter Wing. The crash ignited a brush fire in the surrounding area, requiring residents nearby to evacuate.
Road Closures Affect Surrounding Area
State Highway 67, also known as Airbase Road, was closed for roughly three and a half hours to allow emergency responders and evacuation vehicles to operate. That closure has since been lifted, and traffic to the base via the main gate is no longer affected.
However, State Highway 167 — the Grandview Highway — remains closed until further notice as investigators work the accident scene. The closure spans the stretch between the Mountain Home Air Force Base Contractors Gate and Easy Street, with no public access permitted between State Highway 67 and Simco Road. Motorists are urged to plan alternate routes, as Simco Road is also under active construction with reduced speed limits and an unpaved surface.
Idaho State Police coordinated the response alongside the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office, Mountain Home Police Department, Owyhee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Transportation Department. Those agencies worked together to manage traffic flow and assist with evacuations in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
Investigation Ongoing; 366th Fighter Wing Leading Response
Officials have directed any further questions about the incident to the 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office, indicating that the military is taking the lead on the investigation. The cause of the crash and the condition of any pilots involved had not been publicly released as of the time of this report.
Aircraft incidents near active military installations require close coordination between civilian law enforcement, state transportation agencies, and military authorities — a response effort reflected in the multi-agency presence on the ground Saturday.
Emergency responders in Idaho have demonstrated that capability in a range of incidents across the region. Readers following air rescue operations in Southeast Idaho may also be interested in coverage of the new Portneuf Air Rescue helicopter set to debut at a public open house in the Pocatello area.
What Comes Next
State Highway 167 will remain closed between the MHAFB Contractors Gate and Easy Street until accident investigators complete their work. The 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office is the designated point of contact for updates on the military investigation. Drivers traveling in the Mountain Home area should expect continued traffic disruptions and are advised to seek alternate routes until officials lift the remaining closure. No timeline for reopening had been announced as of Saturday evening.
For additional Idaho public safety and emergency response coverage, visit Idaho News.