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Elkhorn Fire

Unit Information

500 N Mission St 
McCall, 
Idaho 
83638 
500 N Mission St 
McCall, 
Idaho 
83638 

Incident Contacts

  • Fire Information
    Phone:
    208-634-0820
  • River Information Desk
    Phone:
    208-756-5587 or 208-481-2625

Fire Update – Elkhorn Fire, August 17, 2023

Elkhorn Fire
Publication Type: News 08/17/2023

McCall, Idaho The Elkhorn Fire is 26,048 acres and 45% complete. The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team 4 has assumed command of the Elkhorn Fire. Fire personnel and equipment continue minimize fire impacts to private property, Forest Service administrative sites/infrastructure, and primary travel corridors along the Main Salmon River Corridor, Whitewater Road, and the Magruder Road Corridor.

Fire activity includes group torching and short uphill runs in the high elevations. Hot and dry conditions continue today as a ridge of high pressure slowly nudges to our east later this afternoon. The weather pattern begins to change Friday, as increasing upper-level moisture brings a chance for showers and isolated thunderstorms to the area. The daily air quality reports will be available through the Elkhorn Fire information page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/idpaf-elkhorn-fire

Please slow down and watch for firefighters and heavy equipment working along the Magruder Road Corridor, Forest Service Road 9560 (Trapper Creek Road) through Trapper’s Creek, continuing North to Magruder Road, and the 505 UTV trail. Firefighters are constructing fireline in this area to anchor the fire to the 2020 Shissler Fire scar.

Communication continues with the boaters entering the river at Corn Creek and again at Hancock Rapids before entering the fire footprint along the river corridor.

McCall, Idaho The Elkhorn Fire is 26,048 acres and 45% complete. The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team 4 has assumed command of the Elkhorn Fire. Fire personnel and equipment continue minimize fire impacts to private property, Forest Service administrative sites/infrastructure, and primary travel corridors along the Main Salmon River Corridor, Whitewater Road, and the Magruder Road Corridor.

Fire activity includes group torching and short uphill runs in the high elevations. Hot and dry conditions continue today as a ridge of high pressure slowly nudges to our east later this afternoon. The weather pattern begins to change Friday, as increasing upper-level moisture brings a chance for showers and isolated thunderstorms to the area. The daily air quality reports will be available through the Elkhorn Fire information page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/idpaf-elkhorn-fire

Please slow down and watch for firefighters and heavy equipment working along the Magruder Road Corridor, Forest Service Road 9560 (Trapper Creek Road) through Trapper’s Creek, continuing North to Magruder Road, and the 505 UTV trail. Firefighters are constructing fireline in this area to anchor the fire to the 2020 Shissler Fire scar.

Communication continues with the boaters entering the river at Corn Creek and again at Hancock Rapids before entering the fire footprint along the river corridor. Boaters are required to stop at Hancock Campsite on river-left, at river mile 26.1 to receive further instruction via a river information board regarding passing through and camping in the area of the Elkhorn fire. Please read the river information board for any changes that may have occurred since you left Corn Creek launch. Camping, recreating (i.e., picnic, bathroom breaks and beach walking) and stopping through the area of Elkhorn fire activity is allowed with some exceptions. Once past Hancock Camp (River Mile 26.1) there is no stopping until boaters pass Magpie Creek Camp (River Mile 29.6). After passing Magpie Creek Camp, boaters will be allowed to camp and recreate on a First Come, First Served basis everywhere except: Upper Allison, Allison, Lower Allison, Whitewater Camp. After passing Whitewater Ranch (River Mile 39) there are no restrictions connected to the Elkhorn Fire.  For additional information on rafting, contact the river desk at 208-756-5587 or 208-481-2625.

The U.S. Forest Service Nez Perce-Clearwater, and Payette National Forests issued the Elkhorn fire area, roads and trails closure order #01-17-05-23-003, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices/?aid=82169. The closure area spans both sides of the Salmon River but excludes the Salmon River Wild and Scenic Corridor below the high-water line. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place for a two-mile buffer around the fire perimeter. All aircraft (including drones) not assigned to the fire are required to remain out of the TFR area between 0900-2100.

Visit InciWeb for information on wildfires at https://inciweb.ncwg.gov and follow the Payette National Forest on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest

The U.S. Forest Service Nez Perce-Clearwater, and Payette National Forests issued the Elkhorn fire area, roads and trails closure order #01-17-05-23-003, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices/?aid=82169. The closure area spans both sides of the Salmon River but excludes the Salmon River Wild and Scenic Corridor below the high-water line. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place for a two-mile buffer around the fire perimeter. All aircraft (including drones) not assigned to the fire are required to remain out of the TFR area between 0900-2100.

Visit InciWeb for information on wildfires at https://inciweb.ncwg.gov and follow the Payette National Forest on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest