BOISE COUNTY-- The Boise County Sheriff's Office has re-implemented a Level 2 voluntary evacuation for Lowman, effective immediately.
Fire officials are reporting new fire activity northwest of Lowman. Evacuations are in effect for areas of Lowman proper. Tonight's community meeting still will be held at 7p.m. at the Lowman EMS Building seven miles east of Lowman at mile marker 80.
The Pioneer Fire is now 60,882 acres; containment is 26 percent. There are currently 1,636 firefighters working on the fire.
A Red Flag Warning is issued for the Pioneer Fire area for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thunderstorms are predicted with outflow winds possible up to 40 miles per hour.
County officials closed Highway 17 from Garden Valley to Lowman to incoming traffic until further notice. Highway 21 is closed from 6 miles north of Idaho City to 2 miles south of the Banks-Lowman Road intersection. Highway 17 is closed at Little Gallagher Creek about 7 miles east of Garden Valley. Highway 21 is closed at the Banks-Lowman Road intersection.
Lowman residents can exit the closure but cannot reenter once they’ve left. A pilot car will escort Lowman residents south on Highway 21 to Idaho City where Red Cross has established a shelter for evacuees at Idaho City High School.
