Two wildfire affected highways in north central Idaho are open again, but they are not operating under the same conditions. US 12 near Lenore has reopened after the Mile Marker 25 Fire forced a temporary closure, while SH 11 south of Greer is using one lane alternating traffic and a pilot car during the day.
The Idaho Transportation Department update issued July 13 says the SH 11 control runs from 7 in the morning to 9 at night as firefighters continue working near the road. All lanes are scheduled to open overnight before the daytime pilot car operation returns, although fire activity can change that plan.
- US 12 near Lenore: The highway reopened after temporary closures caused by the Mile Marker 25 Fire.
- SH 11 south of Greer: Traffic is alternating through one lane with a pilot car from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- SH 11 overnight: All lanes are scheduled to open overnight before daytime controls resume.
- Roadside work: Firefighters, emergency vehicles, flaggers, and equipment may remain close to moving traffic.
- Best live check: Review Idaho 511 immediately before entering either affected corridor.
What changed on US 12 near Lenore
US 12 is the simpler of the two current road decisions because ITD lists the Lenore segment as reopened. The earlier closure covered the highway between Cherry Lane at milepost 21 and the Lenore Rest Area at milepost 28 while crews responded to a fire and cleared material from the roadway.
The Idaho State Police closure notice said rocks and debris were falling onto the road during the July 11 response. That detail matters after reopening because the original hazard involved both active fire operations and material reaching the travel lanes, not only smoke visible from a distance.
ITD says US 12 reopened Saturday evening and does not announce a continuing pilot car schedule for that segment in the July 13 release. Drivers can therefore plan around an open road, but should still check for a renewed restriction before departure because the agency warns that conditions may change as fire activity evolves.
A driver who saved the earlier closure alert should not assume it still controls, while someone who sees an open map should not treat that as a promise for the entire day. The live Idaho 511 entry and instructions from personnel at the scene take priority over either an older closure notice or a cached route result.
How the SH 11 pilot car operation works
SH 11 south of Greer is open with a controlled daytime movement rather than unrestricted two way travel. From 7 in the morning to 9 at night, vehicles use one lane in alternating directions behind a pilot car while firefighters continue their response to the Greer Fire.
This setup can add an unpredictable wait even when the road is technically open. Traffic moving in one direction must clear the controlled section before vehicles at the other end receive permission to proceed, and emergency activity can lengthen the cycle or briefly stop civilian traffic.
ITD says all lanes will be open overnight, then one lane alternating traffic will return the next day. Travelers should read that as the announced operating pattern, not a guarantee that an active fire corridor cannot be narrowed again if smoke, equipment, falling material, or suppression work creates a new hazard.
Following the pilot vehicle is part of the traffic control, not an optional pace suggestion. Drivers should remain in line, avoid passing, leave room for emergency equipment, and follow flagger directions until they are clearly beyond the controlled section.
Why the two roads require different plans
The July 13 notice combines the highways because both changes come from wildfire response, but each corridor has its own operating status. US 12 near Lenore has reopened without a stated continuing lane restriction, while SH 11 still has a defined daytime control and an overnight all lanes pattern.
That difference affects arrival estimates and backup choices. A traveler using US 12 should confirm that the reopened Lenore segment remains clear, while someone bound for communities reached through SH 11 should budget for a pilot car queue and avoid scheduling a tight connection immediately after the controlled area.
The roads also should not be treated as interchangeable detours merely because they meet near Greer. A navigation app may calculate a technically open path without accounting for a fresh pilot car delay, emergency vehicle movement, smoke, or a temporary stop that has not yet propagated to the map.
Deep Arrival’s separate report on the Boise I 184 ramp closures covers scheduled construction in another part of Idaho. Those Boise closures are unrelated to the north central Idaho fire controls and should not be combined into the same detour calculation.
What to verify before driving
Open Idaho 511 close to departure and inspect the exact highway segment rather than only the statewide overview. Look for a closure icon, one lane restriction, pilot car notice, incident marker, or changed travel message on US 12 near Lenore and SH 11 south of Greer.
Drivers approaching SH 11 during the daytime window should carry enough fuel and water for a longer wait without turning around in the traffic queue. Cell coverage may vary in rural and river corridor terrain, so saving the current notice before leaving a reliable connection can help, although roadside instructions still outrank the saved screen.
Anyone towing a trailer or driving a large recreational vehicle should avoid assuming an open lane means a normal speed through the work area. The safest plan is to slow early, preserve extra following distance, and be ready for personnel or equipment to enter the roadway.
The initial Idaho State Police alert documented the seven mile US 12 closure and the falling rock and debris risk before reopening. It reinforces why a road can change status quickly even when the fire itself is not blocking every lane.
| Your route | July 13 status | Best next move |
|---|---|---|
| US 12 through Lenore | Reopened after temporary closure | Confirm the milepost 21 to 28 segment on Idaho 511 before departure |
| SH 11 south of Greer from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. | One lane alternating traffic with pilot car | Allow extra time and follow the controlled convoy |
| SH 11 overnight | All lanes scheduled to open | Verify the pattern remains active before relying on a late drive |
| Either road with new smoke or emergency activity | Status may change | Slow down and obey current flagger or law enforcement instructions |
| Navigation app conflicts with roadside control | Live control is authoritative | Follow the closure point, flagger, pilot car, or Idaho 511 notice |
- Separate the corridors: US 12 is reopened while SH 11 still carries a daytime pilot car restriction.
- Protect the schedule: Build a delay margin into any SH 11 daytime trip.
- Use the live map: Check Idaho 511 immediately before entering the affected segment.
- Expect responders: Slow down around firefighters, flaggers, vehicles, and roadside equipment.
- Do not bypass control: A closure point or pilot car line protects both travelers and emergency crews.
- Recheck overnight plans: The announced all lanes period can still change with fire conditions.
What to watch next
The next material update would be the end of the SH 11 pilot car operation, a change in its daily hours, a renewed closure on either highway, or a new travel restriction caused by the Mile Marker 25 Fire or Greer Fire. A change in containment alone would not necessarily alter the road decision unless the transportation agency also changes access.
ITD has not provided a fixed end date for the daytime SH 11 control in the July 13 notice. Until the agency posts a new status, travelers should expect the stated daily pattern and verify it against Idaho 511 rather than assuming the road returns to normal after one overnight opening.
Is US 12 open near Lenore?
Yes. Idaho Transportation Department says US 12 near Lenore reopened Saturday evening after temporary closures caused by the Mile Marker 25 Fire.
Is SH 11 open south of Greer?
Yes, with one lane alternating traffic and a pilot car from 7 in the morning to 9 at night while firefighters continue working near the road.
Are all SH 11 lanes open overnight?
ITD says all lanes are scheduled to open overnight before the daytime one lane and pilot car pattern returns.
Why was US 12 closed?
The Mile Marker 25 Fire response required a closure between Cherry Lane and the Lenore Rest Area while crews managed the incident and cleared rocks and debris from the roadway.
Where should drivers check for changes?
Idaho 511 is the live state road status source. Drivers should also obey current flaggers, pilot car operators, law enforcement, and emergency personnel at the scene.
