Stanley, Idaho (KMVT-TV) - The Halstead fire near Stanley, continues to burn today but the firefighters are gaining the upper hand. At this time, officials with the Salmon-Challis National Forest say they have 45% containment of the fire that has burned 151,820 acres. The Salmon-Challis NF has reduced the closure affecting the Halstead Fire, specifically in the eastern portion of the fire perimeter. The portion of the affected closure to be made available for public use and its access will begin at the junction of Hwy 75 and the community of Sunbeam. The road is open from Sunbeam, along Coyote Road through the community of Bonanza to Loon Landing at Tin Cup. Public is reminded that the area west of the road remains closed and the area east of the road is open. The Sawtooth National Forest has also rescinded the closure for the Salmon River Corridor and White Cloud Mountains of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. There will be a meeting at 7:00 pm, Friday Sept. 14, at the Stanley Community Center. Idaho Governor Butch Otter visited the Incident Command Post Monday afternoon for a briefing on the Halstead Fire. There was minimal fire activity over most of the fire, with some active burning and isolated torching along the fire perimeter within the Wilderness area. The fire spread to the north of Lost Packer Mine and joined with the Merino Fire, which is now included in the Halstead Incident. Although this significantly increased the total acreage for the Halstead Fire, infrared mapping was not available Monday night to reflect the accurate fire perimeter. Rehabilitation efforts were completed on the Bench Fire. Crews monitored the Cape Horn Fire, which started Sunday by a lightning strike and was extinguished by Sunday evening. Containment lines continued to hold along Highway 75 west of Sunbeam and along Highway 21 behind the Cow Camp residences. Structure protection measures remained in place along the Yankee Fork and around Lost Packer Mine.

Smoke from the Pole Creek fire near Sisters, Oregon, drifted into the Stanley area Monday afternoon, creating hazy conditions in the valley. Air quality in Stanley is expected to be good during the day and will deteriorate overnight throughout the rest of the week. The Challis area is currently shielded from the direct effects of the Halstead Fire but air quality there will continue to degrade towards the weekend.

A burnout is planned in Tunnel Creek which may produce smoke visible from Stanley. Backhaul of supplies and equipment will continue in Yankee Fork. Fire progression will be monitored near Loon Creek Guard Station, Diamond D Ranch, Bonanza, in the Marsh Creek drainage and the Cape Horn Fire. Structure protection will continue along Highway 75, Yankee Fork, Sunbeam, Lost Packer Mine and Seafoam Guard Station. Engines and crews will mop up areas where the fire has been held and rehabilitate areas that pose no potential for fire spread.