Wildfire Moves to Within a Mile of Small Central Idaho Town

LOWMAN, Idaho (AP) — A 125-square-mile wildfire on Wednesday moved to within a mile of the central Idaho town of Lowman where residents have been told to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

Fire officials say burnout operations to bring controlled fire into Lowman and a nearby subdivision have been successful in burning fuel around portions of the town. More residents in the region, including Garden Valley to the west of Lowman, are under a lower level evacuation notice and have been told to make preparations.

Officials didn't have exact numbers of those facing evacuation, but a previous notice included more than 100 homes. Officials say no homes have been lost. The Banks-Lowman Road remains closed west of Lowman but State Highway 21 is open. About 1,800 firefighters are battling the blaze.