Central Idaho wildfire grows by 45 square miles

LOWMAN, Idaho – A central Idaho wildfire fanned by strong winds expanded 45 square miles Tuesday, burning through timber in remote and mountainous terrain.

Officials say the active part of the fire that’s now up to 220 square miles is burning far from critical infrastructure, but some low-level evacuations remain for some areas of the sparsely populated region.

Officials say they expect the fire to continue moving north and northeast and into burn scars from previous fires that could slow its advance.

About 1,200 firefighters are at the blaze that started July 18 for unknown reason.

Officials have said a rain or snow event will be needed to put the fire out, and the estimated containment date of the fire is mid-October.