He initially denied any connection with the large wildfire burning east of Hailey and Bellevue but 35-year-old Ryan Jensen is changing his story and coming clean.  According to KTVB, Jensen has told authorities that he accidentally started the Sharps Fire when he was using exploding targets.

Jensen called 911 on Sunday to report the fire which has now grown to more than 54,000 acres burned.  Evacuations have been mandated and many are on pre-evacuation alert. 

Jensen had denied starting the fire many times when questioned by the Blaine County Sheriff Department along with investigating detectives telling them he was driving out of Muldoon Canyon when he came upon the fire and tried to put it out.  The truth came out later when witnesses and citizens came forward with conflicting information as to what Jensen was reporting.  The fire is currently at 29 percent contained.

More From Idaho’s Talk Station