CASCADE, Idaho — Inclement weather in the area has delayed fire crews working to fight the East Fire.
Authorities have updated the acreage of the fire area to 3,342 acres, down from over 4,000 acres reported last week, by using more precise equipment to assess the land.
Personnel assigned to the fire has increased to 331, though they are still reporting 0% containment.
Moderate to heavy rains are expected to move through the area today adding threats of winds and possible flash flooding. A flood watch is in effect until midnight, keeping crews at camp until conditions improve.
While officials continue to develop a strategy for dealing with the fire, there are currently no evacuation orders for the area.
Updates will follow as this situation develops.
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The fire is burning in thick timber that has a lot of dead standing and downed trees, including sub alpine fir that is known to throw embers and create hot spots. The Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team has been brought up to speed and is not in command of firefighting efforts.
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The East Mountain repeater site remains under threat, as are trail systems and private land. Authorities are asking that traffic avoid Clear Creek Road, Forest Road 409 if possible.
At this time, no evacuation orders have been put in place.
The origins of this fire remain under investigation.
