The Pioneer Fire, burning between Idaho City and Lowman, currently stands at 181,349 acres and is 56% contained, according to officials. The fire has grown some 204 acres since Monday.
Currently, 972 personnel are assigned to the fire, including nineteen crews, nine helicopters, 35 engines, four dozers, nineteen water tenders and three masticators.
An upper-level disturbance is expected to bring some rain to the fire area north of Highway 17 Tuesday, followed by warmer, drier weather with southwestern winds of 15-22 mph. Fire managers say higher winds -- along with continued burning in the fire’s interior -- will increase smoke visibility in the surrounding areas.
The daily air quality outlook is available at: http://idsmoke.blogspot.com
As the focus of fire operations have shifted to the north end of the fire, the fire camp at Idaho City will be relocated near Bruce Meadows -- where firefighters will be better positioned to work on the top priority of keeping the fire east of Forest Service road 555 and south of Forest Service road 579, officials stated.
Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the area south of Highway 17.
The Warm Springs and Landmark air strips are now officially open. The Bruce Meadows airstrip will remain closed to accommodate the new fire camp.
A temporary flight restriction is still in place and private and commercial aircraft, as well as privately-owned drones, are prohibited from entering restricted airspace
Closure orders remain in effect for multiple roads and trails for firefighter and public safety. Trail #147 (Warm Springs Creek) can be used to access Bull Trout Lake. Users of the trail are reminded to stay out of the closure area by keeping to the east side of the trail.
Current closure information is at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices
A Level 2 evacuation order remains in effect for seasonal homes located near Clear Creek; a Level 1 evacuation order is in effect for Pioneerville and Lowman; and for structures in the South Fork Road area, east of Grimes Creek, and along the South Fork Payette River.
