The Halstead Complex is just 3 percent contained at more than 43,500 acres. It’s burning in a rugged area of the Salmon-Challis National Forest, with large expanses of beetle-killed trees. LocalNews8 reported that the fire in the Trail Creek area put up a large column of smoke visible from Stanley, and was spreading east toward the Valley Lakes area. Emergency crews evacuated the Bradley Memorial Boy Scout Camp, Lola Creek Campground, Lola Creek Spura A, Marsh Creek Trailhead, and Beaver Creek Campground.
Yesterday afternoon the Twin Falls County Sheriff announced that all access to the South Hills via Rock Creek Road or Indian Springs is closed, along with the Rockcreek Drainage east of Deadline Ridge. Access to Murtaugh Lake will be limited because aircraft are accessing the lake for suppression efforts. KMVT News reported that a weak trough passing to the north yesterday was expected to produce showers and dry thunderstorms, with warmer and drier weather over the weekend. KMVT.com has several good photos online from area residents.
A couple of new fires were reported on the Salmon-Challis; one was contained and the other, a half-acre fire on Sage Creek, had a Type 4 engine and crew from Salmon along with four rappellers assigned.
Crews are building control lines to protect the Boy Scout camp, private property, and the Highway 21 corridor. Fuels reduction work is under way near Loon Creek, and firefighters are assessing structure protection needs in the Bonanza and Yankee Fork areas.
The complex includes several fires; the Merino Fire is approximately 4 acres and burning in an old burn area on the ridge top near Indian Springs Guard Station. The Bench Fire is about 270 acres on the east side of Highway 21. The fire threw out several spot fires during the day and had a helicopter assigned. The Halstead Fire is moving toward Marsh Creek, with burning activity also in Valley Creek. The fire is still about 4 miles from Loon Creek.
Nice picture of the best helicopter made. Who took them and when.Just wondering.