LOWMAN, Idaho (AP) — A central Idaho wildfire has expanded to 150 square miles but a key route through the area has reopened.

Residents of about 125 homes in the area Monday remained under low level evacuation notices. The Banks-Lowman Road opened Saturday after the fire moved through. The fire burning timber in remote, mountainous backcountry is 50 percent contained but is expected to burn at least until the end of September.

On Monday, another fire that appeared nearly contained about seven miles east of Idaho Falls took off with high winds still gusting to 40 mph at 10 p.m., according to Bonneville County Sheriff Dept. spokesman Bryan Lovell. Lovell says from 50 to 70 structures could be threatened overnight near U.S. Highway 26, prompting him to issue an alert to residents.

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