Stanley, Idaho (KMVT-TV) With 306 personnel working to gain control of the Halstead fire, burning 18 miles north of Stanley, officials say they are at 50% containment. Brisk winds on Friday rekindled portions of the Halstead Fire, primarily on the north and western perimeters. This produced four large smoke plumes visible from the Sawtooth Valley and the total size of the fire increased by more than 7,000 acres. Fire crossed west at Marsh Creek and west of Pinyon Peak. Water drops from a Type 1 helicopter supported efforts on the ground, including a Hot Shot crew securing fire line at Lightning Creek. The southern perimeter of the fire is contained west of Bradley Boy Scout Camp to Sunbeam on the east.

Today is another critical fire weather day with a “Red Flag” warning for more gusty winds issued from noon until 10:00 pm tonight. Air resources today will continue supporting crews on the ground with water drops. Engines will go into the Seafoam area to check on structure protection and conduct a possible burnout. Rehabilitation and suppression repair work will continue.

Smoke continues to drift into the valleys from other fires burning in Oregon and Washington. Air quality in Stanley and Challis will be good during the day but is expected to deteriorate at night and throughout the weekend. The Stage I air quality advisory for Lemhi and Custer Counties remains in effect.

The Salmon River is closed to floating from Buckhorn Bridge to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area eastern boundary from September 3-22 during salmon spawning. Bank fishing is open. The river will be open to all user groups as of September 23.

The area closure for the Halstead Fire has been reduced on the eastern perimeter of the fire. The Yankee Fork Road and Forest Road 172 are now open but the area west of Yankee Fork remains closed. Along the Highway 75 Salmon River Corridor from Stanley to the Sawtooth NRA boundary, the following campgrounds are open and will be managed by the Sawtooth National Recreation Area through the end of hunting season: Casino, Mormon Bend, Upper O’Brien, Holman, and Whiskey Flat.