Central Idaho wildfire still growing

BOISE, Idaho — Fire officials say a lightning-caused wildfire burning in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in central Idaho on Saturday grew to about 34 square miles and is being battled by about 330 firefighters.

The Halstead Fire about 18 miles northwest of Stanley is burning in the wilderness through bug-killed lodgepole with a dense understory of fir saplings.

Officials on Friday issued an emergency closure for portions of the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Sawtooth National Forest that banned travel on some roads and trails.

Officials said their goals are to hold the fire east of Marsh Creek and east of State Highway 21, a well-traveled route between Boise and Stanley. The fire started July 27.