Fire crews battling blaze near Pine

UPDATE: Fire crews from the Boise National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management have gained control of a wildfire located south of Pine.

Rain showers on Wednesday afternoon helped crews contain the Curlew Fire, which had grown to more than 200 acres after it started earlier in the day.

By Thursday morning, most of the responding fire crews and equipment were able to leave the area with remaining team members continuing to extinguish the smoldering remains, said Nick Yturri from the Bureau of Land Management.

Reportedly measuring more than 200 total acres, no structures were immediately threatened, with fire located on private land.

Responding federal fire crews included more than a dozen firefighters and one BLM engine. A helicopter was also requested.

Gusty winds had pushed the early season fire on the east side of Anderson Reservoir. The fire possibly started on private land but remains under investigation.

In a press release, fire prevention officers with the Boise National Forest department emphasized the importance to landowners of being careful with early season burning. In some low elevation areas, fires can carry through the vegetation.

The BLM has already responded to a few local smaller fires already this season.