Wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour helped fuel a wildfire in the central Idaho wilderness on Thursday, more than doubling its size to over 12,000 acres.
Some 200 personnel battling the Halstead Fire focused on keeping the fire from spreading toward Idaho Highway 21, as it burns some 18 miles northwest of Stanley on the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The fire, ignited by lightning last Friday, has prompted several campground closures, as well as an emergency area closure for the popular Cape Horn recreation area.
Forest officials say the fire’s potential for growth is listed as high, and containment isn’t expected until mid-October. (Idaho Statesman)
