Stanley, Idaho (KMVT-TV) The Halstead fire 3 miles north of Stanley continues to burn today. Officials say 135,779 acres have gone up in flames from the lightning caused fire that started July 27. Containment is at 7%. There was a spot fire that jumped Marsh Creek yesterday and grew to approximately ¼ acre on the west side of the creek. Firefighters immediately began working on that spot fire to keep it from becoming established in the new area. The fire was not moving much in the Seafoam area. There was a large column and quite a bit of activity near Pinyon Lookout. The fire made a strong push to the north and east as it burned through the bug killed timber. The fire is approximately ¼ of a mile from the Lost Packer Mine. Firefighters ran sprinklers around the mine throughout the day yesterday. The Sunbeam area was cooling down and firefighters used helicopters to knock the fire down as it came up over the ridge tops near Highway 75. Firefighters also worked on burnout operations behind homes along Cow Camp Roadand near the Valley Creek Mine. The burnout operations take away fuels before the main fire gets to those areas, making for a less intense fire.

The Plan for Today: Firefighters will begin working on rehabilitation plans for the Bench, Copper and New fires. The fire has reached Marsh Creek and firefighters will continue working on the spot fire and making sure other spots don’t get established further west. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire in the basin above the Lost Packer Mine and take action as necessary. Helicopters will be utilized for aerial reconnaissance and for cooling the fire that crests the ridge tops along Highway 75. Burnout operations will continue, especially in the Valley Creek area. Firefighters will use a combination of aerial and hand firing techniques and burn around the Valley Creek mine. Ultimately, firefighters are working towards taking the burnout lines and tying them in to the dozer lines to help hold the fire away from the highways and private lands.

Highway 75 Update: Vehicles on the portion of Highway 75 between Stanley and Challis will be escorted by a pilot car. The affected section is from Stanley to Peach Creek (mile marker 206.6). Smoke, fire equipment and potential falling debris from the Halstead Fire has necessitated this action to protect motorists’ safety. Escorted traffic will continue until fire conditions change