Single Publication

9/11 Final Thor & Slate Creek Fire update
Final Update
Thor & Slate Creek Fire
Quick Facts

Approximate Size
Thor Fire 1300 acres
Slate 620 acres
Salmo 320 acres
Gypsy Ridge 17 acres
Containment 0%
Total Personnel 50
Fire Danger Very High
Structures Lost
Primary – 0 Secondary - 0
For Immediate Release - September 11, 2022

A Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing four fires in the same general area. Each fire is burning in remote and rugged terrain with poor access. The fires are not threatening critical infrastructure, wildlife habitat, nor watershed integrity.

Over the next few days, the fires are at a point to turn back to local resources. These resources will continue to patrol for any unexpected fire growth. Road and trail closures are still in place. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority. Please check up to date road closure information on the forest website below. For any additional information after 9/14 contact the Sullivan Lake Ranger Station @ (509) 446-2139

The fires were all ignited by lightning as several thunderstorms have passed over the area the past month. The first ignition was discovered on August 13 and the last on September 3, 2022. Managers have taken a confine/contain approach to the suppression of these fires due to the remoteness and rugged terrain.

Thor Fire -The fire is located 5 miles east of Sullivan Lake and burning in a remote area. The fire is approximately 1300 acres. Containment lines are being patrolled and monitored. The fire continues to burn within containment lines in heavy jackpots of dead and down.

Slate Fire Update - The Slate Fire is 7 mi. NE of Metaline Falls and is approximately 620 acres. Work on containment and access lines to the west has been completed.

Salmo Fire – The Salmo Fire is approximately 4 miles northeast of the Gypsy Meadows Trailhead in the Salmo Priest Wilderness. The fire is approximately 320 acres, and its eastern edge has burned into Idaho. The fire is being monitored by air due to its remote and dangerous access.

Gypsy Ridge – The Gypsy Ridge Fire is located approximately 2 miles west of the Salmo Lookout. The fire is also located in the Salmo Priest Wilderness, and burning in steep rocky terrain with limited access, and is approximately 17 acres. The fire is being monitored due to its remote and dangerous access.

Weather: Temperatures are 75 degrees in higher elevations and 10 degrees warmer in the valleys. Winds are west 2-5 and humidity is expected to be 27%.

Closed Roads: Highline- This closure begins at the junction of NFS Road 2212200 and NFS Road 2212000 and ends at the junction of NFS Road 221200 and NFS Road 2220000. Johns Creek- This closure begins at the junction of NFS Road 2200500 and ends at the NFS Trail #540 (Hall Mountain Trailhead). Sullivan Creek/Pass Creek- This closure begins at the junction of the NFS Road 2200250 and the NFS Road 2200000. NFS Road 2200000 turns into NFS Road 302 on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and ends at the junction of NFS Road 302 and NFS Road 1013. Salmo- The entire NFS Road 2220000 will be closed beginning at the junction of NFS Road 2200000 at the Salmo Trailhead. Stoney Creek- This Closure begins at the junction of NFS Road 2200300 and NFS Road 2200000 and ends at the junction of NFS Road 2200300 and NFS Road 2200000. Go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices for all closure information.

Fire information contact is Don Malone at (509) 720-7418 or you can also follow us on Facebook @NEWIMT3 Cell coverage is limited and messages will be checked often.