BY KAREN BOSSICK

Forest Service officials are asking the public’s help after determining that the Cabin Creek Fire near Alturas Lake was caused by an unattended camp fire a quarter mile uphill from the Luther Heights Organizational Camp.

The campfire appeared to have been used to cook food between Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12.

Evidence has been sent to a crime laboratory for further analysis and officials are asking anyone with information to call U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations at 208-423-7500.

The fire has remained at seven acres and is 100 percent contained, thanks to a quick and robust aerial attack that dampened the fire so ground crews could establish perimeters. There is very little heat or smoke now, according to the Sawtooth National Forest.

The fire was reported about 1 p.m. Sunday, July 12, by a hiker who noticed a plume of smoke originating in the area.

The Set evacuation status, as in “Ready, Set, Go,” was lifted late Tuesday night after precipitation on Tuesday helped dampen the flames.

Crews from the Forest Service, Gooding Rural Fire and Wildland Fire Service spent Tuesday and Wednesday mopping up the fire.

FOX CREEK TRAIL TO BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY

The U.S. Forest Service is issuing a hard closure for the Fox Creek Trail north of Ketchum on Friday, July 17.

The trail is being closed so that helicopter pilots who have been ferrying lift materials to the top of Bald Mountain this week can drop the new Fox Creek Bridge into place.

They will not be able to do so if there are unauthorized people in the area. Drones in the area will also shut down operations.

Those who wish to watch the operation are advised to do so from the Taylor Canyon Ridge, according to the Wood River Trails Coalition.