Highway Closed by Fire Reopens to Idaho Town

LOWMAN, Idaho (AP) — A state highway reopened Tuesday morning after being closed by a wildfire for more than two weeks, and the evacuation level for a small town in mountainous central Idaho has been lowered.

Officials opened State Highway 21 south of Lowman to Idaho City after Idaho Transportation Department workers cleared hazard trees along some 25 miles of the road. Boise County authorities also reduced the evacuation level for about 120 homes in the Lowman area to the lowest level, advising residents to just be alert.

However, the Banks-Lowman Road to the west of Lowman remains closed with fire burning on both sides of the road. Fire officials say cooler temperatures and mild winds on Monday are helping the 1,600 firefighters battling the 100-square-mile blaze that started July18. This story has been corrected to say State Highway 21 reopened Tuesday morning.