Highway 46 back open; crews expect wildfire containment within 24 hours

WENDELL, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — As of 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, State Highway 46 has been opened.

Crews expect to have the fire contained by 8 p.m. Thursday.

Fire crews are responding to a wildfire burning near Interstate 84 and State Highway 46 between Wendell and Gooding.

The fire was first reported around noon Wednesday on Idaho 511 near mile marker 152 on I-84 in Wendell, all westbound lanes were closed. Idaho State Police said the fire started near the interstate and has been moving east. Multiple agencies are responding, including Idaho Power.

As of 12:45 p.m., westbound lanes on I-84 had reopened.

Around 1 p.m., the fire was reported along State Highway 46 from East 2800 South to mile marker 105. All lanes of Highway 46 were shut down at the city limits, south of Gooding and north of Wendell.

As of 1:30 p.m., BLM Idaho Fire said the fire had grown to about 1,000 acres. Officials said the fire had jumped the highway and was continuing to move east.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area and check Idaho 511 for the latest road closures.

As of 3 p.m., the fire has grown to 8000 acres.

Two structures have burned down. There were evacuations in the area but those were lifted, according to Sheriff Gough. Idaho Power crews are replacing several power poles that were burned before the highway can reopen.

Winds are at 20 mph and burning through fire retardant and jumping dozer lines, as of Wednesday evening. Impacts include the junk yard north of Wendell as well as the transfer station.

This is a developing story. KMVT will update this article as more information becomes available.