A bonfire explosion during a July 4th campout in Pierce, Idaho, has resulted in eight people being hospitalized, with two young women suffering critical burns. The incident occurred on July 4th, and the cause of the explosion is currently under investigation by the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office and the Idaho Fire Marshal's Office.
Two of the victims have been identified as KC Matos, 22, and Emylee Macaluso, 20. According to their GoFundMe pages, the explosion happened after gasoline was poured onto the bonfire's flames. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
KC Matos sustained burns to approximately 80 percent of her body, including her face, arms, and legs. Her mother, Roiann Matos, expressed fears that her daughter may never walk again and will require multiple surgeries and skin grafts. Matos, a mother to a three-year-old daughter, is expected to remain hospitalized for at least another month. She graduated from North Idaho College in 2025 and works as a caregiver.
Emylee Macaluso, a student at Lewis-Clark State College, also suffered severe burns and injuries. She has been airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where she is reportedly sedated and receiving intensive medical treatment. Her parents are at her side to focus on her recovery.
Both families are seeking financial support to cover extensive medical expenses, as well as travel and lodging costs. A community-established Idaho Credit Union account has also been set up to collect donations intended for all victims.
As of July 7, authorities had no new information on the condition of the other six victims or further details on the incident.