Firefighters make progress on Elevenmile fire

Firefighters continue to battle a wildfire in Custer County that was sparked by a lightning strike.

A regional incident fire management team estimates the Elevenmile Fire burning 17 miles west of Challis at 10,004 acres. 12 handcrews, 4 helicopters, and 26 fire engines are fighting the fire. A total of 472 personnel are working on the fire.

“Warmer and drier conditions will increase fire activity across the fire…with the most activity west side of Summit Rock. The fire is now held up along McKay Creek near Mill Creek Summit and will continue to creep and smolder downhill towards the #070 Road” says the Forest Service.

Thanks to moisture, cloud cover, and cooler temperatures over the weekend, firefighters increased containment to 15 percent.

Fire is backing down to the south of Squaw Creek. Crews expect to spend several shifts in the steep, heavily timbered area to construct a direct handline.

Officials said Monday they expected the northern perimeter of the fire to continue to burn towards the River of No Return Wilderness. The area has heavy dead timber with many spot fires and is too steep to staff. It will be monitored by air and allowed to burn, since no structures are currently at risk.

Crews are putting together a plan to protect structures in the Bayhorse, Garden Creek, and Custer areas in the event the fire moves towards those areas.

The Bayhorse Ghost Town, Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, and Custer Historical sites are still open to the public.