Fire lines holding on Sharps Fire

Although the Sharps Fire near Bellevue moved north onto the Sawtooth National Forest, fire lines are holding on the southwest portion of the fire. It is estimated at 35,000 acres.

Authorities say somebody shooting an exploding target on Sunday started the fire that’s burning in grass and timber.

New road closures are in place. Quigley Rd. is now closed at the trailhead where the pavement ends. Slaughterhouse Creek Rd. is now closed where the pavement end. These roads are being closed to restrict access into the fire area where crews are working.

The Forest Service has closed Cove Creek Rd 1.5 miles from East Fork Rd.

The public is asked to stay out of all these areas and allow emergency personnel to focus on fighting the fire.

The Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of firefighting efforts at 6 a.m. Tuesday and set up a command post at the Carey school.

According to the command team, crews are concentrating on building fire line and securing the south end of the fire today. Crews were working to improve fire lines around the southeast corner of the fire to prepare for dozer lines to be constructed.

Air support will be used to help.

Mandatory evacuations are in place for the Little Wood Recreation Area campground and all residences on Little Wood Reservoir Road and Flat Top Road north of the reservoir. High Five Recreation sites are evacuated and still closed to the public.

Pre-evacuation notices are still in place for Fish Creek Road. Residents should prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.