Crews work to protect central Idaho ghost town from wildfire

LOWMAN, Idaho – Firefighters on Friday are working on structure protection at the central Idaho ghost town of Pioneerville as a 134-square-mile wildfire approaches.

Fire officials say the fire grew about 7 square miles in the last day with the west flank becoming the most active as it burned timber in the Jackson Peak area.

Officials say heavy aircraft will be used Friday to slow the fire’s advance so fire crews can build control lines.

Officials say the fire is also expected to grow to the east but a burn scar from a previous wildfire should slow its progress.

The Banks-Lowman Road remains closed with rocks and trees made unstable when the fire passed through, and flames are again approaching the road farther west.

About 1,800 firefighters are battling the blaze.