STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTO BY DIANE PEAVEY
Hikers and horseback riders rejoice!
The BLM Shoshone Field Office has lifted emergency closures on East Fork Road, Ohio Gulch Road, Indian Creek Road, Slaughterhouse Creek Road, Muldoon Road, Little Wood Reservoir Road, Baugh Creek Road, Road Canyon Road and High Five Creek Road.
Some areas remain off limits to the public, however, including the Federal Gulch and Timber Draw trails.
Upper Quigley Canyon and Cove Creek Roads remain closed for now, as well.
A fire weather watch is in effect from Friday afternoon through Friday evening as scattered thunderstorms could move through the area. Thunderstorms could also occur today—Thursday, Aug. 16.
The National Weather Service says frequent lightning and gusty winds in excess of 45 miles perhour is likely, and up to 60 miles per hour is possible in some places. New fire starts are possible.
The Sharps Fire, caused by a Bellevue man shooting at an exploding target, remains 88 percent contained, having burned 64,853 acres east of Hailey and Bellevue.
Crews continue to work on the north end of the fire in the Kale Creek and Little Wood drainage.