Governor Otter Visits Pioneer Fire

The Pioneer Fire's been out of control for close to a month now and is creeping in to only 3/4 of a mile away from the city of Lowman.

Our firefighters are now working day and night in efforts to slay this dragon.  The Level 2 Evacuation is still in effect for those living just north of Lowman while this fire has grown to over 125 square miles.  That's close to the size of Boise, Meridian, and Nampa combined.

Today our Governor, Butch Otter and Lt. Gov. Brad Little were flown into Idaho City to see, hands on, what our men and women in uniform are fighting and up against.  They met with firefighters, incident commanders, and Boise County officials.  Solving this problem and keeping everyone safe, including our firefighters, is top priority.

This fire has already been classified as a disaster for the county.  About 1/8 of the forest land in Boise county has been burned up and the Pioneer Fire is still only 50% contained.  Over 2,000 personnel are working on this fire, day and night, seven days a week.

Boise county Sheriff Jim Kaczmarek says the immediate danger is only part of the problem.  The aftermath brings on many challenges.  With all the damage on the 21 corridor and the Highway 17 corridor, they'll be a lot of landslides and floods this Winter.  The Banks-Lowman Road is still closed.  Trees and falling rocks are being cleared and the hope is that it'll be open early next week, just in time for the new school year.