Untitled Document

Fire danger remains high throughout Idaho

Red flag fire warnings remained in effect through most of the south-central Idaho this week as Idahoans prepared for an extended holiday weekend. The red flag warning anticipates the convergence thunderstorms, hot temperatures and extremely dry conditions.

ITD joins other state and federal agencies in urging extreme caution by individuals involved in outdoor recreation. Campers should build fires only in developed campgrounds and avoid off-road travel where vehicle exhaust systems could kindle wildfires.

At midweek, Idaho’s two largest wildfires, Beaver Creek (111,422 acres) and the Elk Complex (131,258 acres), were nearing containment. The Little Queens fire was only 20 percent contained at 23,049, although evacuation orders have been relaxed for the mountain community of Atlanta.

The Lolo Creek Complex fire reached 60 percent containment at nearly 11,000 acres at midweek. U.S. 12 near Powell was closed for almost a week because of the fire, although conditions eased sufficiently to allow reopening of the route Aug. 24.

Temperatures through the holiday weekend should remain in the low 90s for southern Idaho and lows in the 60s with mostly sunny skies and minimal chances of precipitation. The temperature range in north-central and northern Idaho ranges from the low 50s at night to daytime highs in the mid 80s.