Firefighters are battling a new wildfire that started near Lucile on Thursday.
The Sheep Fire burned 120 acres in Sheep Gulch and is moving toward John Day Mountain. It started in grass and has moved into timber, thought he cause remains under investigation.
Weather that saw higher humidity and temperatures top out in the mid-70s on Thursday helped crews working to protect Dixie, Comstock and Orogrande from the 17,000-acre McGuire Fire. The dozer line that will connect the 1188 Road above Dixie with the 311 Road is nearing completion. Firefighters are trying to stop the fire along the 1188 Road and keep it from advancing to the east and into Dixie.
The Powell SBW Complex of fires have now scorched 36,400 acres. Fire officials say the Freeze Out-Queen Fire is backing down toward the south side of the Lochsa River and is now burning along it at three places. The Fern Fire, along Colt Killed Creek, saw active burning Thursday, with short crown runs in the Storm Creek area. Firefighters are preparing for what could be critical weather Monday when high winds are expected.
The U.S. Forest Service, the Idaho Transportation Department and Idaho State Police are working on contingency plans to deal with possible hazards along U.S. Highway 12 near Powell and the complex. The plans deal with a range of problems, from thick smoke to active burning along the highway.
