BOISE, Idaho — A brush fire south of Horseshoe Bend temporarily blocked all traffic on State Highway 55 Friday afternoon. The Idaho Transportation Department closed all lanes of travel around 3 p.m., with northbound travelers stopped on Horseshoe Bend Hill.
The closure stretched from milepost 57 to milepost 60 at Bread Loaf Lookout. Hours before the highway opened completely late Friday evening, ITD crews alternated traffic through the northbound lanes, causing delays for weekend recreationalists.
The Bureau of Land Management in a tweet said the "MM60 HWY55 Fire" burned an estimated 43.7 acres as of 7:15 p.m. Friday. The agency responded with three overhead, six engines, a water tender, two single-engine airtankers (SEATs), a helicopter, air attack and a dozer.
BLM Idaho Fire said crews contained the fire around 6 p.m. and controlled it around 10:25 p.m. Friday. Crews are mopping up the fire area and monitoring any activity.
When the fire started, the Boise County Sheriff's Office reported it was moving southeast toward the Avimor subdivision, "quickly spreading through brush." Due to dry conditions and the fire's activity, nearby residents were urged to prepare for potential evacuation.
For updates on road closures throughout the Gem State, check Idaho 511.
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