Highway 2 reopens after wildfire

TELFORD — U.S. Highway 2 has reopened after lightning sparked a wildfire Wednesday evening near the Telford Rest Area.

The fire, located on the east side of South Telford Road near the railroad tracks, grew to more than 112 acres before crews stopped its forward progress, officials said.

One home was threatened, but property owner Brian Steadman built a defensive line to hold the flames until firefighters arrived.

Lincoln County Fire District No. 5 Chief Craig Sweet said the fire was burning "aggressively "when the first crews arrived.

“It reached about 10 acres at its largest,” Sweet said late Wednesday. “The forward progression was stopped a couple of hours ago, but we’ve been working on cooling it down and securing the perimeter.”

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Highway 2 was closed between Davenport and Creston to give firefighters room to work.

Multiple agencies responded, including Fire District No. 5, Preston, Wilbur and the Department of Natural Resources, which sent air support.

Sweet said crews faced challenges from the railroad tracks and fences, which had to be cut in several places to gain access.

He noted that the Bureau of Land Management requested firefighters use water only to limit ground disturbance.

At press time ,. crews were cooling hotspots and securing the perimeter. The state Department of Natural Resources is investigating the cause.

“We’re fortunate it didn’t get any bigger and that the homeowner was able to protect his own property until help arrived,” Sweet said.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, three homes were evacuated as a precaution. All were saved, and residents have since returned home.