Single Publication

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at EXTREME Fire Danger

CENTRAL IDAHO FIRE RESTRICTIONS AREA IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

There have been five (5) new fires reported on the Salmon-Challis National Forest since the last update on Monday, July 22, 2024.  To date, there have been 15 wildfires reported on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  Nine (9) of the fires have been declared out.  

Deer (July 25): The lightning fire is located approximately 33 miles northwest of Challis, southeast of Pinyon Peak on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  Loon Creek Guard Station is east of the fire.  The fire, burning in grass and conifers is estimated at approximately 75 acres.  The fire is burning on both side of Rabbit Creek.  The fire is burning in the 2006 Trail Creek Fire.  

Sheep (July 25): The lightning fire is located approximately 11 miles northeast of North Fork, northwest of Sheep Mountain on the North Fork Ranger District.  The 0.10 acre fire is burning in subalpine fir.  Two (2) firefighters are on scene working to suppress the fire.  

Joseph Pass (July 24): The lightning fire is located approximately 20 miles north of North Fork on the North Fork Ranger District.  The 0.10 acre fire is 100% contained and controlled.  

Thunder (July 24): The lightning fire is located approximately two (2) miles northwest of Williams Lake and approximately 12 miles southwest of Salmon.  The fire is estimated to be 2,465 acres in size and is burning in timber, sagebrush, and grass.  Yesterday, the fire progressed towards Henry Creek and burned down the Henry Creek drainage to the Williams Lake Road.  Firefighters, with the assistance of Lemhi County Fire Protection district and Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office, burned out along to the road from Henry Creek to the south.  Today, a Type II hand crew is working along the Willams Lake Road mopping up the fire’s edge and a Type I Crew is going direct on the west side of the fire.  Aircraft will be used as weather conditions allow.  A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered and will in brief with Forest Officials this evening.  

The Lemhi County Sheriff has identified evacuation zones for the Thunder Fire.  ZONES 1, 2 AND 3 ARE NOW IN "SET" STATUS.  Information can be found on the Lemhi County website at https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/.  

The Salmon-Challis National Forest has a closure in place: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1196683.pdf.  The Bureau of Land Management Salmon Field Office has a closure in place: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/BLM_ID_IDF_Thunder_Fire_Temporary_closure.pdf.  

Visitors will need to stay East of the Boat launch if recreating on the lake. West of the boat launch will be the Primary Dipping site for the helicopters.  This will still allow for the public to enjoy the lake.  If you are recreating at Williams Lake near this ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance ‐ don’t congregate in the area where the firefighters are at work and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.  Forest officials as asking the public to limit vehicle traffic on the Williams Lake Road for the safety of the firefighters.  The Thunder Fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idscf-thunder-fire.  

Ajax (July 24):  The lightning fire is located approximately 13 miles northeast of Salmon, approximately one (1) mile northwest of Ajax Peak on the east side of the Carmen Creek drainage on the North Fork Ranger District.  The Ajax Fire is holding at 2.5 acres with only 1/2 acre of growth since initial fire detection.  Six (6) firefighters are on scene working to suppress the fire.  A helicopter is assisting with bucket drops when weather allows.  

Mayfield (July 19):  The lightning fire is located approximately 27 miles northwest of Challis northwest of Mayfield Peak on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The 0.10 acre fire is burning in a single tree in a steep, rugged, scabby, and rocky terrain at approximately 9,000 feet.  A helicopter flew the fire this morning and no smoke was observed.  

Loon (July 7):  The lightning fire is located approximately 38 miles northwest of Challis in the West Fork of Little Loon Creek on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The five (5) acre fire burning in grass, brush, and timber is out.  

Weather:  ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 10 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY...Dangerous fire weather conditions are likely this afternoon as humidity falls into the mid-teens and gusty winds are likely.  Humidity levels are a little higher on Saturday and winds are lighter.

The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the EXTREME fire danger for the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  The U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management in east-central Idaho are in Stage 1 fire restrictions.  The Central Idaho Fire Restrictions Area encompasses those portions of Custer County that are north and east of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (excluding the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness) and that portion of Lemhi County that is not federal land designated as wilderness.  One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.  Since June 1, Forest employees have found and extinguished at least 13 abandoned campfires.  

Nationally, there are 104 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 7 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.  

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow Us’ on X @salmonchallisnf.  

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