Stanley, Idaho (KMVT-TV) - Firefighters appear to be gaining the upper hand on the Halstead fire near Stanley. Officials with the Salmon-Challis National Forest say that 40% of the fire has been contained. It’s burned 151,200 acres. Yesterday, lightning that came through the area mid-day sparked a new fire above Thatcher Creek south of Highway 21 west of Stanley. Quick response by initial attack resources aided by water drops from a Type 1 helicopter kept the Cape Horn Fire to one-tenth of an acre. The Cape Horn Fire was controlled by 4:00 pm Sunday afternoon. Containment lines held along Highway 75 west of Sunbeam and along Highway 21 behind the Cow Creek residences. Structure protection remains in place along the Yankee Fork and Lost Packer Mine. One Type 1 helicopter was loaned to the Mustang Fire and another to a new fire start near Boise. Both returned to the Halstead Incident by evening. Rehabilitation efforts continued on the Bench Fire and are expected to be completed Monday.

Air quality is expected to be good as predicted winds help clear out smoke and deter the development of inversions overnight. Air quality should remain good until Tuesday when stable air returns and smoke from interior islands burning in the fire interior may settle in the valleys due to strong inversions. Inversions will clear during the heat of the day.

Rehabilitation will continue on the Bench Fire. The fire will be monitored along Marsh Creek and the Cape Horn Fire. Backhaul of supplies and equipment will continue in Yankee Fork. Fire progression will also be monitored near Loon Creek Guard Station, Diamond D Ranch, and Bonanza. 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. A “Red Flag Warning” has been issued for high winds today from noon until 9:00 pm.

No road closures are anticipated along the Highway over the next several days, but may be implemented if visibility is reduced due to smoke impact. If necessary, a pilot car will be used to escort traffic one way along a limited section.