Boise County Sheriff Jim Kaczmarek has reduced the voluntary evacuations of residents in two areas impacted by the Pioneer Fire. This, as a result of reduced fire behavior -– and containment -- south of the Payette River and Highway 17.
At noon Thursday, by order of the Sheriff, Level 1 evacuations in Garden Valley (South Fork Road, east of the Grimes Pass Road, and the Banks Lowman Road east of Danskin Station) have been rescinded. No evacuations are in place for these areas along the South Fork of the Payette River;
Level 1 evacuations in Pioneerville have also been rescinded. No evacuations are in place for Pioneerville.
However, all properties throughout Lowman will remain at Level 1 evacuations. The summer homes in Long Creek remain at Level 2 evacuations until further notice, officials said.
The Pioneer Fire is currently at 181,574 acres and about 56% contained. 981 personnel are assigned to the fire. Resources include: 21 crews, nine helicopters, 33 engines, four dozers, seventeen water tenders and three masticators.
Fire activity increased on the northern edge of the fire east and southeast of Deadwood Reservoir, according to reports. Firefighters, helped by aerial resources, continue to construct direct and indirect fire lines to keep the fire east of the reservoir. Active fire continues to burn in the northeast head of the fire, as well as several areas within the interior of the fire perimeter.
Cews continue to construct containment lines along National Forest System Road 591, to keep the fire from progressing to the west. Firefighters and equipment are being used to clear vegetation from both sides of the road, to make it defensible in the event the fire pushes further west.
NFS 555 is also being used as a contingency line to secure the western edge and keep fire out of the immediate Deadwood Reservoir area, forest offocials explained.
On the southern half of the fire below Highway 17, crews continue to repair suppression lines, remove hazard trees and take additional actions to make the roads and areas safe.
Although some evacuation levels have changed, the Fire Area Closure on national forest land is still in effect until further notice. Current closure information is at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.
Over the next several days, burning in the fire’s interior will continue to create smoke that will impact Garden Valley, Lowman, Stanley and the surrounding areas.
