LOWMAN -- The Pioneer Fire burning near Lowman continued to grow over the weekend, spreading north into the Deadwood River drainage by Monday.
The fire is currently measured at 96,469 acres - more than 150 square miles - and is 50 percent contained.
Officials say hot, dry weather and possible southwest winds could keep the fire active. Crews don't expect the fire to be completely contained until the end of September.
Roads being used as containment lines have been successful in stopping the spread in the Clear Creek drainage, and flames have not crossed to the east side of Clear Creek.
Highway 17 is open, but motorists should watch out for rocks, trees and debris that may fall onto the road from the burned hillside. Idaho 21 is also open.
Driver are asked not to stop their cars in the burned areas or near where helicopters are dipping water out of the river.
Pioneer Fire
Fire crews are concentrating on stopping the Pioneer Fire north of Forest Road 380 and east of Forest Road 397. Firefighters are also working to protect structures northeast of Pioneerville and Idaho Department of Land areas.
A Burned Area Emergency Response team has been called in and is preparing for rehabilitation of the burned area on the southern flank of the fire.
A Level 1 evacuation order is in place for Lowman and Pioneerville, while a Level 2 order has been issued for along South Fork Road, east of Grimes Pass Road and along the South Fork of the Payette River, as well as Bear Valley Road and the Long Creek summer homes area.
