BY KAREN BOSSICK

Firefighters made good progress on the Lake Creek Fire six miles north of Ketchum Monday. It was estimated to grow to 512 acres after tapping out at 300 acres Sunday evening.

Fire managers hoped to get an infrared mapping flight Monday night to confirm the fire’s acreage and to get a clearer picture of where to focus suppression efforts. A road closure in the area to allow firefighters safety as they do their work will go into effect at 10 a.m. today.

The fire, burning in sage and foot-tall dry grass, was reported about 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, in the Lake Creek area east of Highway 75. The area is a popular recreational and camping site, thanks to a pond and two trails in the area.

Local firefighters responded quickly to the blaze on Sunday afternoon.

A helicopter continued to ferry water via a dangling water bucket to the scene Monday morning, returning to Hailey as dusk settled. Six engines, one dozer, two water tenders, a suppression module, a helitack module and 18 smokejumpers worked on the fire Monday morning trying to keep it from moving west to a neighborhood of multi-million-dollar homes.

More resources were ordered for the fire, which was estimated to cost about $100,000 to suppress as of Monday afternoon.

Between 50 and 75 of the 250-plus acres burned over the ridge into the Eagle Creek drainage.

The wind was gusting between 7 and 12 miles per hour Monday afternoon, but the humidity ranged around 44 percent, which was a plus for firefighters. Cloud cover on Monday also helped moderate fire behavior. And Monday night's rain surely didn't hurt.

The acrid smell of wildfire smoke settled in the Ketchum area Sunday night and a faint hint lingered Monday morning. But it blew out as the morning wind shifted northward.

Residents between Lake Creek Road and Eagle Creek Road on the east side of the highway were asked to remain on “Ready” status as of midday Monday. That means: Have  important documents and prescription packed and maintain situational awareness.