Courtesy Dustin Eldredge

The Castle Rock Fire burns over the mountains near Ketchum.

BOISE, Idaho - Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter declared a statewide wildfire emergency Monday.

Otter made the declaration at the request of the state Bureau of Homeland Security because of the growing risk to life and property from uncontrolled wildfires in parts of Idaho.

Otter spokesman Jon Hanian said the declaration will reduce bureaucratic red tape for counties seeking help responding to wildfire threats.

The declaration authorizes the use of state government resources to assist in efforts to respond to wildfire threats anywhere in the state.

Meanwhile, managers say the 17-square-mile Castle Rock fire is burning within a mile of about 100 summer cottages and million-dollar homes near Ketchum.

The governor issued a mandatory evacuation order for about 100 homes near the fire on Sunday afternoon.

Fire spokesman Dave Olson said that over the next few days, firefighters will likely conduct a burn-out operation to create a fire break free of flammable material between the front of the fire and the homes. On Monday, they planned to focus mainly on structure protection and stopping any spot fires whipped up by expected windy weather.