The Pioneer Fire, burning in rugged wilderness near Idaho City, grew by about 6,000 acres Tuesday -- to a total of 48,350 acres, according to Boise National Forest officials.
The Fire is now about 36 percent contained.
Fire managers will provide an update and answer questions at a community meeting Wednesday night at the Lowman Emergency Services Building, located seven miles east of Lowman. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
There are currently 1,497 people on the fire. This includes 44 crews, 10 helicopters, 48 engines, 8 dozers, 14 watertenders, and 5 masticators. Resources are rotating out as they reach the end of their assignment and are being replaced, according to a Boise National Forest news release.
“Slightly cooler temperatures and northwest winds should help firefighters attempting to prevent the fire from burning northward to Lowman,” the release said. “Hotshot crews will work to complete containment line from Burns Ridge down to the South Fork of the Payette River. If conditions permit, they plan to secure the line with a burnout Wednesday evening. On the eastern flank, crews will attempt to use previous fire scars and natural features to check fire growth. Mop-up will continue on the southern flank and on other contained portions of the fire.
“In addition to the main Incident Command Post in Idaho City, camps have been established in Garden Valley and Lowman to reduce travel time for firefighters driving to and from the fire line. The next low pressure system is expected to arrive Friday, bringing the chance of thunderstorms and dry lightning,” the release stated.
The Skyline yurt, previously reported as destroyed, actually survived. The Stargaze yurt also survived. Whispering Pines yurt has been destroyed. The Rocky Ridge, Elkhorn and Banner yurts have not yet been reconnoitered, the release said.
