A wildfire burning 40 miles northeast of Boise is moving away from structures, but continues to pour smoke into the Treasure Valley.
The 2,500-acre Walker Fire started Saturday on private property near Grimes Creek and Mack Creek. The fire is suspected to be human caused.
Burning eight miles southwest of Idaho City in Boise County, the fire has destroyed four structures, including three cabins.
The Idaho Department of Lands says some areas are still under evacuation:
Residents in the areas of Macks Creek, Wolf Creek, and Pine Creek are still under an evacuation order. The evacuation area has not been extended since Sunday morning. Updated evacuation information is available on a pre-recorded message by calling 208-462-0552. Residents affected by evacuations may go to the Boise County Emergency Operations Center, located at the Boise County Sheriff’s Office at 3851 Highway 21 in Idaho City. The center can be reached by phone at 208-392-4411. Updates also are available on the Boise County Emergency Management’s Facebook page at this link.
Travel is prohibited on Grimes Creek Road from Clear Creek Road to Centerville Road. Forest Service Road 311 and Wildcat Gulch Road are also closed.
There are 13 engines, six hand crews, three dozers, three tankers and four helicopters fighting the fire.
An incident command post is being set up Monday at the Idaho City airport.
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality says air quality in the Treasure Valley has deteriorated and is ranging from Moderate to Very Unhealthy. Overall, air quality is in the Unhealthy category. DEQ says the air could start to clear by this afternoon and light winds should bring better air by Tuesday.
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