Fire officials urge Highway 55 drivers to take alternate routes
BOISE, Idaho (KBOI) - Fire officials with the Boise National Forest Service have closed Highway 55 at Banks, 12 miles north of Horseshoe Bend due to the rockslides caused by the Springs Fire burning close to the road and loosening the rocks.
They say that drivers who are trying to travel to and from the McCall area should take and alternate route.
Drivers headed north on Highway 55 should turn onto Highway 52 in Horseshoe Bend and travel towards Emmett, New Plymouth, and Weiser. Then turn onto Highway 95 and head north to New Meadows and then McCall.
If you are leaving from the valley, the fastest way to McCall may to be to head west on Interstate 84 and exit at the Highway 95 exit near Fruitland/Payette, then take 95 north through New Meadows and then to McCall.
Highway 17 at Banks, also known as the Banks-Lowman Road, is open through Garden Valley, however only one lane is open and drivers are being escorted by a pilot car and should expect delays up to 30 minutes.
The Forest Service says 240 firefighters are working on the fire, along with helicopters and air tankers.
Officials have no estimate on when the fire will be contained.
They say that drivers who are trying to travel to and from the McCall area should take and alternate route.
Drivers headed north on Highway 55 should turn onto Highway 52 in Horseshoe Bend and travel towards Emmett, New Plymouth, and Weiser. Then turn onto Highway 95 and head north to New Meadows and then McCall.
If you are leaving from the valley, the fastest way to McCall may to be to head west on Interstate 84 and exit at the Highway 95 exit near Fruitland/Payette, then take 95 north through New Meadows and then to McCall.
Highway 17 at Banks, also known as the Banks-Lowman Road, is open through Garden Valley, however only one lane is open and drivers are being escorted by a pilot car and should expect delays up to 30 minutes.
The Forest Service says 240 firefighters are working on the fire, along with helicopters and air tankers.
Officials have no estimate on when the fire will be contained.
