Little Queen fire appears to have been halted in front of Atlanta

Lightning flashes above fire crews battling the Little Queen Fire near Atlanta.

The Elmore County Sheriff's Office briefly allowed Atlanta residents to return to their homes today.

It was the only opportunity for residents to get into the area until such time as the area is re-opened for the general public. Residents met deputies at the Rocky Bar/James Creek road and were escorted into the small mountain community.

The southern spread of the fire towards Atlanta has been halted as of Wednesday. Approximately ten miles of containment lines have been completed from the north side of Atlanta west down the Middle Fork of the Boise River drainage to meet the 2003 Hot Creek fire perimeter. The west and northwest flanks are expected to run into other previously burned areas.

The northeast and east sides will spread toward natural barriers, such as rock outcroppings. Wednesday, crews focused on holding operations and mop-up of the completed hand line along the Middle Fork Road. A couple of spot fires on the east flank were doused by helicopter buckets.

The Middle Fork road remains closed to the public. When returning to their homes, residents need to be prepared to remain a few days. There will not be an opportunity to leave and return at this time.

Residents are urged to use caution in the area as firefighting personnel and equipment are still present throughout the area.

Possible hazards that still exist in the fire area include falling burned trees, ash pits, as well as potential for burned logs and rocks to fall onto the roadways.

For further information on road closures and road access throughout Elmore County, visit the Elmore County Sheriff's Office facebook site.

For current and ongoing information regarding fires throughout Idaho and the rest of the country, logon to www.inciweb.org.