Fire officials are scaling back Pioneer firefighting resources as a result of successful containments and favorable weather conditions over the past few days, according to Boise National Forest officials.
The Pioneer Fire received about a half-inch of rain from a storm that passed through the area Wednesday. A small amount of snow mixed with the rain fell on the north end of the fire, in the Bruce Meadows area, limiting the fire growth to 39 acres, officials said.
Weather is expected to continue minimizing burning conditions and help firefighters, limiting the fire’s growth.
The rainy weather Wednesday hampered the use of heavy equipment on the firelines and kept air resources grounded. Work continues on fire suppression repair on the southern half of the fire and began along National Forest System Road 555 in the fire’s western edge above Highway 17, officials stated.
The Garden Valley Incident Command Post (ICP) will be closing Saturday and an ICP closer to fire operations will be established in Lowman.
Great Basin Incident Management Team 5 will replace Team 2 and assume command of the fire on Saturday.
Crews were able to contain the fire where it abuts the Rough Fire burn scar on the northeast side of the fire. Additional containment on the east side, north of Highway 17 is expected in the next few days.
With the reduced risk of wildfires due to cooler temperatures and precipitation in the area, state and federal wildfire officials lifted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions within the West Central Idaho Mountain as of noon on Thursday.
The Pioneer Fire is at 186,400 acres and about 56% contained, according to officials.
