Southern Idaho (KMVT-TV) Two of the fires on the Minidoka Complex remained active Thursday, bringing the total acreage of the complex to 49,259 acres. Weather will continue to be a factor for fire crews as a Red Flag Warning is in effect from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday for thunderstorms and gusty winds.

As of mid afternoon, the Cave Canyon Fire had grown to 45,021 acres. The fire made a six mile run to the north early Thursday morning, when strong down canyon winds pushed the fire west to Medley Creek and north to Prospect, about 4 miles south of Murtaugh Lake. The west side of the fire was aggressively backing down into the East Fork of Dry Creek. A finger on the southwest side of the fire has burned within 1 ½ miles of Bostetter Campground. Crews continued to burn pockets of vegetation to help hold the south line of the fire at FS Road 500 (Oakley-Rodgerson Road). The DC-10 airtanker made numerous drops on the north side of the fire. Fire crews are also building dozer line on the west and north to stop the progression of the fire.

The Deer Hollow Fire was also active, growing to 4,027 acres. The fire is spreading rapidly and exhibiting extreme fire behavior. The fire spread at night is mainly to the north with some spread to the east and west due to strong ridge-top winds. The fire is established in Kelsaw Canyon.

Additional resources, including two hotshot crews and type 1 helicopters. A total of 278 people are assigned to the complex. Oakley, Burley and Rock Creek Fire Protection Districts have been essential partners in the suppression efforts.

A fire information meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Howell’s Opera House in Oakley. The public is encouraged to attend to be briefed on the current status of the fires in the Minidoka Complex, which include the Cave Canyon, Deer Hollow, Hot Well and Eight mile fires.