CASCADE, Idaho — UPDATE: Fire crews have been making progress on the East Fire near Cascade over the past couple weeks. Thanks to these efforts, the fire is now 59% contained with an expected full containment on September 30.
Additionally, more accurate fire mapping has confirmed that the fire now only covers 3,313 acres. Containment efforts continue as the fire crews construct a fireline along road 417.
With an assist from Mother Nature, fire crews are beginning to gain ground fighting the East Fire, burning about 10 miles east of Cascade. Those crews, however, continue to shrink with the total number of personnel working the fire now reduced to below 300.
Recent heavy rainfall helps out the blaze which has been burning since August 16.
RELATED | The East Fire continues to grow
High pressure is building over the region and is expected to cool down temperatures into the 70s and 80s winds expected to reach 30 mph.
In the next few days, the Great Basin team will be right-sizing the number of personnel assigned and transitioned control back to the local forest staff.
There are no evacuation orders related to the fire, but there are trails and roads closed off in the Cascade and Emmett Ranger Districts. The public is being asked to avoid unnecessary traffic near the fire area, including Clear Creek Road and Forest Road 409.
Officials say that the fire should have minimal behavior with smoldering and creeping, burning through timber, brush, and a few species of pine tree.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
