Update Monday at 8:02 a.m.: An evacuation notice for the town of Lowman that was downgraded yesterday has been raised back up.
The Boise County Sheriff yesterday evening re-implemented a level two evacuation for Lowman after having lowered it to a level one one earlier in the day. Level two is still a voluntary evacuation. The heightened alert comes after winds pushed the Pioneer fire further north.
Update Sunday at 2:00 p.m.: The Boise National Forest reports evacuation levels for Lowman have been lowered from Level 2 to Level 1. There is a community meeting tonight for the Pioneer Fire in Lowman at the Lowman EMS Building at 7.
And Idaho Highway 21 is open from Stanley to Lowman. Drivers should expect delays and if fire activity picks up, crews will start using a pilot car. Highway 21 is still closed from Lowman to Idaho City. A pilot car has taken residents evacuating from Lowman to Idaho City on Highway 21.
The Pioneer Fire has burned 95 square miles. There are 1,636 people on the fire.
A Red Flag Warning, or high fire danger warning, has been issued for the Pioneer Fire Sunday until 6 p.m. Thunderstorms with 40 mph winds are possible.
Another fire, the Dry Creek Fire, started Saturday in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. It was started by a lightning storm. Stanley Lake Campground has been evacuated.
Update Friday at 5:20 p.m.: The Boise National Forest is reporting that anyone wanting to evacuate Lowman will be allowed to use Idaho Highway 21, following a pilot car.
Pilot cars escorting Lowman, ID evacuees S on Hwy 21 through #PioneerFire b/c Hwy 17 is still CLOSED. https://t.co/eFeXFGmBWN
— Boise Nat. Forest (@BoiseNF) August 5, 2016
Update 4:45 p.m.: The Idaho Transportation Department says the two main routes to Lowman from Boise are now closed. Idaho 21 was already closed down due to the Pioneer Fire from Lowman to Idaho City. Firefighters have been using the highway as a fire break.
Now the Banks-Lowman Road (Highway 17) is closed from Pine Flats to Lowman, thanks to a spot fire. That was the detour route drivers were using to get around the Highway 21 closure.
ITD says both roads will remain closed until further notice.
Travelers heading to Lowman or beyond should use Idaho 75 through the Wood River Valley.
Original Post:
The Boise National Forest is reporting that Boise County has issued a Level 2 Evacuation Notice for Lowman proper. That includes homes south of the river.
A Level 2 notice means residents need to get ready to move, as the Pioneer Fire threatens the town.
The notice includes Deadwood campground and Pine Flat Campground.
And Highway 17, that's the Banks to Lowman road, is closed at Gallagher creek west of Lowman while firefighters respond to a spot fire north of the South Fork of the Payette River. That's the detour drivers have been using since Highway 21 was closed down between Idaho City and Lowman.
Here's the full update on the evacuation notice from the national fire website, InciWeb:
Level 2 evacuations are in effect form Gallagher Creek to Kirkham Hot Springs, north and south of the South Payette River. This includes Deadwood Campground, Pine Flats Campground and Lowman proper. Highway 17 is closed at Gallagher Creek, near the old Rattlesnake Lodge about 7 miles east of Garden Valley. Level 2 evacuations are voluntary, but highly recommended. This evacuation has been issued by Boise County Sheriffs' Office. The fire has crossed Highway 17, air resources are on scene.
The Pioneer Fire has burned 81 square miles and is 27 percent contained.
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