Firefighters in Idaho continue to battle three large wildfires that are proving difficult to bring under control.
In central Idaho, the 194-square-mile Halstead Fire, near Stanley, is only 7 percent contained. The Custer County Sheriff’s Office late Saturday told residents of about 30 homes between Sunbeam and Yankee Fork to evacuate. The fire has moved to within about three miles north of Stanley, but State Highways 75 and 21 remain open.
About 560 personnel are assigned to the fire that is also being fought by seven helicopters.
To the south, back burns on the 226-square-mile Trinity Ridge Fire have been effective in protecting Featherville and an evacuation order was lifted Sunday morning.
Crews in recent days have been trying to slow the fire’s growth toward the Middle Fork Boise River with helicopter water drops. About 1,200 personnel are assigned to the fire that is 31 percent contained.
Along the Idaho-Montana border, fire managers say the 329-square-mile Mustang Complex of fires will be difficult to contain without rain or snow. Fire officials last week issued various evacuation levels for residents near the fire that remain in effect. Residents along Highway 93 betweenHulland Sheep have been advised to leave immediately.
More than 900 firefighters are battling the blaze that is 16 percent contained and has burned across the Idaho border into Montana. Officials say more firefighters are being called in. (AP)
