Pioneer Fire prompts voluntary evacuations, closes Banks-Lowman Road

Level 2 evacuations, described as voluntary but highly recommended, were established Friday for Lowman and campgrounds from Pine Flats to Kirkham Hot Springs, north and south of the Payette River.

This includes Deadwood, Pine Flats, Park Creek campgrounds. The evacuation order has been issued by Boise County Sheriff's Office.

The Pioneer Fire has crossed the Banks-Lowman Road, and air resources are on scene. People who want to leave Lowman can follow a pilot car down Highway 21.

Also Friday, Banks-Lowman Road is closed between Pine Flats and Lowman, the Idaho Transportation Department announced Friday afternoon. The closure is near the old Rattlesnake Lodge about 7 miles east of Garden Valley.

That closure, along with the existing closure of Idaho 21 from 6 miles north of Idaho City to 2 miles south of the Lowman-Banks Road intersection, will remain in effect until further notice, an ITD spokeswoman said.

Motorists between the Treasure Valley and Stanley are advised to use Idaho 75 through the Wood River Valley, ITD reports.

Lowman residents earlier Friday told the Statesman they were prepared in case the fire advanced, but confident in firefighters’ abilities to keep them safe. Click this link to read more of their comments.

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Pioneer Fire prompts voluntary evacuations, closes Banks-Lowman Road."