BELLEVUE, Idaho (KLIX) – Crews are getting the upper hand on a blaze about 3 miles east of Bellevue and now have an estimated containment time for the Martin Canyon Fire.

The human-caused fire has grown to about 3,500 acres, according to the Twin Falls District Bureau of Land Management. The agency expects crews to have the fire contained by 6 p.m. Wednesday, and estimate control will be achieved by about 6 p.m. Friday.

The blaze, which is being fed numerous types of fuel, is being fought by a variety of resources, including four BLM engines, two Sawtooth National Forest engines, three dozers, one water tender, four type two hand crews, four type one hand crews, one camp crew, eight overhead, one air attack, four single engine air tankers, three helicopters, two scooper planes.

The fire, according to the BLM, was caused by target shooting in the area. Structures are in the area, but none of them are currently threatened by the flames.

Several closures are in effect because of the fire:

  • Muldoon Canyon Road from the entrance of EE-da-ho Ranch to Muldoon
  • Muldoon Canyon Road from the Little Wood Reservoir Dam to Muldoon
  • Muldoon Canyon is closed to recreation and camping

Access to the Muldoon Canyon Road is being restricted and the area is closed to recreation and camping.

Good news: precipitation over the fire area is giving firefighters the upper hand on the blaze, the agency says.

On the west, and south east flanks, crews are working to improve containment lines and mop up hot spots. The north east flank has the most active fire, and crews are working with aircraft to stop fire progression.

Because this fire was caused by target shooting, the BLM reminds people to do their part to prevent human caused wildfires by restricting target practice to within approved ranges, and to always clear the area around your target before taking aim.

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