Travel delay: Idaho 55 southbound closed because of 35-acre wildfire near Horseshoe Bend
Travelers headed north for a weekend in the McCall area Friday are hitting major delays near Horseshoe Bend, where a 35-acre wildfire northeast of Boise forced closure of the southbound lane of Idaho 55.
Idaho Transportation Department spokesperson John Tomlinson told the Idaho Statesman by phone that with one lane of the two-lane highway closed, traffic is being asked to alternate use of the northbound lane. Both lanes were previously closed for a stretch Friday afternoon.
Tomlinson said he wasn’t sure when the highway, which connects the Boise area to Lake Cascade and Payette Lake, would fully reopen.
In a tweet, the Bureau of Land Management said that several crews were “making good progress” after responding to the fire with six engines and a helicopter. The agency said it hoped to have the fire contained by 6 p.m. and controlled by 10 p.m.
The Statesman has reached out to the Bureau of Land Management for additional information.
#BLMBODFire responded to the MM6O HWY55 Fire. 3 overhead, 6 engines, 1 water tender, 2 SEATs, 1 Helicopter, 1 Air attack, 1 dozer. Located 20 miles NE of Boise. Crews are making good progress. Caution road congestion. Expected contain: 7-7-23 @ 6 pm. Est control: 10 pm. Acres: 35 pic.twitter.com/PqUFRkGgLF
— Bureau of Land Management Idaho Fire (@BLMIdahoFire) July 7, 2023
