FOOTHILLS, Idaho — UPDATE (as of Aug. 3 at 10 a.m.) —
At 4:30 p.m. on Monday, the Claremont Fire reached 100% containment, fire officials said.
The Claremont Fire started nearly a month ago on July 6, and led to several closures and evacuations.
IDL has mapped the fire at 6,627 acres.
RELATED | "Their home is burning": Claremont Fire pushes more wildlife into Boise neighborhoods, residents say
"This marks a significant milestone thanks to the hard work and dedication of firefighters and support personnel," the USWFS said.
A control date for the fire has not yet been set.
Fire officials warn that smoke will continue to be visible, but that this does not necessarily indicate new fire growth.
Firefighters will remain on scene and continue to patrol the fire perimeter and strengthen containment lines.
UPDATE (as of July 15 at 10 a.m.) —
The Claremont Fire has grown slightly to an estimated 6,815 acres and is now 61% contained, according to Wednesday's update from USWFS Idaho - Great Basin on social media.
Firefighters took advantage of cooler temperatures, higher humidity and cloud cover Tuesday to continue suppression efforts around the fire's perimeter.
On the west side of the fire, existing containment lines held as crews began road repairs, with graders improving about 2.5 miles of 8th Street.
Dozer operators continued constructing new containment lines along ridgelines on the east side of the fire and strengthened existing lines near Tollgate Road, connecting additional sections.
Hand crews also continued removing brush and other vegetation to strengthen containment efforts in steep, rugged terrain.
On Wednesday, firefighters will continue working to connect ridgelines and roadways in an effort to keep the fire west of communities in the Robie Creek area.
Crews are also continuing structure protection assessments east of the fire.
Assessments have been completed in the Robie Creek community, where protection work is now underway.
Similar assessments will continue around Wilderness Ranch before additional protection measures are implemented.
Closures remain in effect for BLM-managed lands, roads and trails between 8th Street, Rocky Canyon Road and Boise Ridge Road through Aug. 1.
Officials also said 8th Street, Rocky Canyon Road and Boise Ridge Road will remain closed until further notice while firefighting operations continue.
UPDATE (as of July 14 at 9 a.m.) —
Firefighters have resumed suppression efforts on the Claremont Fire after temporarily pausing operations Monday to address safety concerns related to unexploded military ordnance.
The Claremont Fire remains at an estimated 6,805 acres and is now 58% contained, according to Tuesday's update from the Eastern Area Complex Incident Management Team.
Crews halted work briefly Monday for a safety standdown after updated guidance on unexploded ordnance, or UXO, was received.
Following consultations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, land management agencies and the incident management team, officials established an 1,800-foot buffer around the identified UXO area to help protect firefighters.
After the standdown, crews returned to the fireline and continued working in areas outside the buffer zone.
Hand crews and dozers strengthened existing containment lines and began scouting and constructing new lines to connect roads and ridgelines while remaining outside the restricted area.
On Tuesday, firefighters will continue efforts to connect containment lines outside the UXO buffer in an effort to keep the fire west of communities in the Robie Creek area.
Closures remain in effect for BLM-managed lands, roads and trails between 8th Street, Rocky Canyon Road and Boise Ridge Road through Aug. 1.
Officials say 8th Street, Rocky Canyon Road and Boise Ridge Road will remain closed until further notice as firefighting operations continue.
The fire's estimated containment date remains Aug. 1, 2026.
ORIGINAL STORY —
Firefighters battling the Claremont Fire have stopped work after learning the fire is creating a greater danger from unexploded military explosives than officials first believed.
The Eastern Area Incident Management Team said Monday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers told fire managers the heat from the active fire is making unexploded ordnance, also called UXO, more dangerous than expected.
Because of the new information, all firefighters have been told to leave the hazard area while officials review their plans.
During the pause, crews are being moved to safe locations away from the areas of concern.
The announcement comes after crews had been making steady progress on the fire.
As of Monday morning, the Claremont Fire was estimated at 6,805 acres and was 57% contained.
READ MORE | Claremont Fire grows to 6,805 acres as crews strengthen containment lines
The Bureau of Land Management has also extended closures of public lands, roads and trails between 8th Street, Rocky Canyon Road and Boise Ridge Road through Aug. 1.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This is a developing story. Idaho News 6 will provide updates as more information becomes available.
