CURRENT STATUS Today on the southwest flank of the Hog Trough Fire, crews will continue brushing the Weasel Creek Trail, to clear flammable materials away from containment line. A dozer has started improving the 1135 Road, north of the Weasel Creek Trail, for crews to better gain access to the fires edge. To the southeast, crews finished cleaning up a slop-over fire that crossed the Signal Rock Trail and backhauled remaining supplies. Crews will continue planned firing operations off the Signal Rock Trail if weather and wind directions allow. The goal of the firing operation is to bring fire slowly down the hill in a controlled manner creating a fuel break to halt wildfire progression to the north. When completed, the fire line along the Signal Rock Trail will tie into the 5071 Road at a wet riparian area. Fire crews have contained the fire along the northwest and northern edge and put it in patrol status. The Fuse Lake Fire has shown no growth for the past few days and has been cold-trailed several times by the line resources. At this time the Fuse Lake Fire will be put in patrol status for the next several days, which will allow resources to be better utilized on the Hog Trough Fire. There will be no further daily updates on the Fuse Lake Fire at this time.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR Showers and thunderstorms are expected around late afternoon. Winds will be generally light, terrain driven, with increased gusts with the incoming storm. With changing weather conditions, we can expect a wind shift from northeast. This change in wind will be favorable for burning operation on southeastern edge. 

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open. 

Road Closures:

• Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and  Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road.  Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).
• Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.

  Trail Closures:

• Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate. 
• Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.
• A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156. 
• Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503. 

  Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana. See mtfireinfo.org for more specific restrictions information. 

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at EXTREME Fire Danger

CENTRAL IDAHO FIRE RESTRICTIONS AREA IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

On InciWeb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8253/

As of 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, September 15, the Salmon‐Challis National Forest is rescinding the area, road, and trail closure order in association with the Woodtick Fire, order number: 04‐13‐22‐506. 

Recent weather patterns over the fire have moderated fire behavior, thus reducing risks to the public in these areas.  Although areas of the fire are still active, fire managers believe the conditions are such that the public can return to the area with minimal safety concerns.  “Although we are rescinding these closures, we urge people to use caution and stay out of the actual fire perimeter,” said Heath Perrine, Agency Administrator, “Fires in this fuel type will continue to burn until a season ending event and pose risks with burning trees, falling snags, and hot ash pits.”  Hunters, hikers, and other recreationalists should make a cognizant effort to avoid the fire area. 

The following are now open: 

FIRE SUMMARY SEPTEMBER 12, 2022The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at EXTREME Fire DangerCENTRAL IDAHO FIRE RESTRICTIONS AREA IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONSSalmon, Idaho‐ September 12, 2022‐ The Salmon‐Challis National Forest has had six (6) new fires in the last week. To date, there have been 43wildfires reported on the Salmon‐Challis National Forest. 35 of those reported fires are out.
 Saw Log Fire (September 10): The fire, located approximately 22 miles northwest of Challis on the Salmon‐Cobalt Ranger District, is estimated attwo (2) acres. The fire is burning timber with a litter understory. Ten firefighters are on scene working to suppress the fire.
 Horse Fire (September 8): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8416/.
 Goat Fire (September 8): The lightning fire, located approximately 20 northwest of Challis on the Salmon‐Cobalt Ranger District, was estimated at0.10 acres. The fire burning in timber and fir is out.
 Owl Fire (September 8): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8416/.
Rocky Fire (September 7): The fire, located approximately nine (9) miles southwest of Leadore on the Leadore Ranger District, was estimated at two(2) acres. The fire, burning in grass, sagebrush, Douglas fire, and lodgepole, is out.
 The Trail Fire (September 7): The fire, an unattended warming fire which was creeping away from the main fire, was located approximately eight(8) miles southwest of Mackay on the Lost River Ranger District and estimated at 0.10 acres. The fire is out.
 The Bradley Fire (September 2): The lightning fire, located approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Gibbonsville on the North Fork Ranger District, isestimated at eight (8) acres. The fire burning in lodgepole pine, is out.
 Siah Fire (August 17): The lightning fire, located approximately six (6) miles northwest of Indian Creek Guard Station on the Middle Fork RangerDistrict in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, remains estimated at 11 acres. The fire is burning in grass, brush, and fir. There is verylittle fire activity or smoke. Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Siah Fire. The fire is surrounded on three sides by theKiwah Fire from 2018 as well as the Little Pistol Fire from 2000 across Indian Creek from the fire. Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snaghazards, Fire Managers are assessing the fire by air.
 Norton (August 1): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8308/.
 Moose (July 17): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/.
 Woodtick (July 14): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8253/.
 Wolf Fang Fire (July 13): The lightning fire is located approximately four (4) miles northeast of the confluence of Big Creek and the Middle Fork ofthe Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness on the North Fork Ranger District. The 2,048 acre fire burning in spruce and firis located in steep, rugged terrain. The majority of the fire activity on the back side Aggipah Mountain in the Aggipah Lake vicinity with additionalfire activity west side of the fire above the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the WolfFang Fire. Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Middle Fork Peak lookout, a remote camera, and aviation are assessing the firedaily. The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8273/.
 Weather: The weather pattern will be going through an abrupt change in the next 24 hours. After another hot and extremely dry day under lightwind, by early Tuesday morning, upper level low pressure anchored in Puget Sound will be merging with some subtropical moisture heading upfrom Nevada and Utah to bring wetting rains even as far north as the Montana border. This will continue through at least Thursday night, and likelyinto Friday. Moderate rains, thunderstorms, cooler afternoon temperatures, and high humidity will be the result. There is a risk of debris flows withthe precipitation rates possible from thunderstorms on burn areas.

The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the EXTREME fire danger for the Salmon‐Challis National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service, IdahoDepartment of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management in east‐central Idaho are in Stage 1 fire restrictions. Stage 1 fire restrictions apply tofederal, state, state endowment, private forestland and rangelands within the designated area. One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.
Nationally, there are 29 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 78 large fires managed under a strategy otherthan full suppression. Smoke from fires in Idaho and the West is drifting into the vicinity. For more information go to https://fire.airnow.gov/.
Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow Us’ on Twitter @salmonchallisnf.

Thursday’s reconnaissance flight over the Woodtick Fire, showed growth in the West Fork of Camas Creek and the confluence of Pole Creek due to weather associated with Wednesday’s and Thursday’s Red Flag warnings. Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, very low humidity’s, and stronger winds combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. The fire continues to primarily move from the north to the southeast. The Woodtick Fire (lightning-caused) started as two separate fires on July 14th, 2022, in a rugged and remote area in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, 27 miles northwest of Challis. Currently a point protection strategy is in place, which focuses operations on protecting highly valued resources such as structures, natural resources, cultural resources, and other property.

FIRE SUMMARY SEPTEMBER 5, 2022

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at VERY HIGH Fire Danger

CENTRAL IDAHO FIRE RESTRICTIONS AREA IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

The Salmon-Challis National Forest has had two (2) new lightning fires in the last week. 

  The Bradley Fire (September 2): located approximately 6.5 miles southeast of Gibbonsville on the North Fork Ranger District, is estimated at 8 acres.  The fire burning in lodgepole pine, is 100% contained and controlled.  This fire is adjacent to the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in the North Fork Sheep Creek drainage where it intersects with Pruvan Creek.  Recreation crews have posted the area to communicate information with CDT hikers.  

Granite Fire (September 1): The lightning fire, located approximately four (4) miles northwest of Gibbonsville on the North Fork Ranger District, is estimated at three (3) acres.  The fire, burning in spruce and fir is out.  

Quartz Fire (August 29): The lightning fire, located approximately 17 miles east of Salmon on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District is estimated at 0.10 acres.  The fire was called out on August 30.  

Siah Fire (August 17): The lightning fire, located approximately six (6) miles northwest of Indian Creek Guard Station on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, remains estimated at 11 acres.  The fire is burning in grass, brush, and fir.  Fire remains in one tree which is on the ground.  There is very little fire activity or smoke.  Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Siah Fire.  The fire is surrounded on three sides by the Kiwah Fire from 2018 as well as the Little Pistol Fire from 2000 across Indian Creek from the fire.  Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Fire Managers are assessing the fire by air.

  Norton (August 1):  The lightning fire is located approximately seven miles northwest of Lower Loon Creek on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The 2,546 acre fire burning in subalpine fir, Douglas fir, sagebrush, and grass is located in steep rugged terrain.  The fire was active yesterday.  Fire is established in the head of Sheep Creek and is backing down towards the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.  The fire is under a point protection strategy, fire managers are utilizing air resources to determine action points and assess values in the vicinity.  Fire managers continue to assess the fire using remote cameras and aircraft.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8308/.  

Moose (July 17):  The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/. 

Woodtick (July 14):  The lightning fire started as two separate fires approximately six (6) miles west, northwest of Meyers Cove on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The 6,398 acre fire burning in timber, grass, and brush is located in steep rugged terrain.  The fire was active yesterday on the west side of fire in the West Fork of Camas and Woodtick Creeks.  The fire is under a point protection and confine and contain strategies with risk to responders and public safety being the top priority.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8253/. 

Wolf Fang Fire (July 13):  The lightning fire is located approximately four (4) miles northeast of the confluence of Big Creek and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness on the North Fork Ranger District.  The 1,568 acre fire burning in spruce and fir is located in steep, rugged terrain.  The majority of the fire activity is in the Aggipah Mountain vicinity.  The fire is also showing activity in the head of unnamed tributaries to both Ship Island and Waterfall Creek.  Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Wolf Fang Fire.  Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Middle Fork Peak lookout, a remote camera, and aviation are assessing the fire daily.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8273/.  

To date, there have been 37 wildfires reported on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  31 of those reported fires are out.  

Weather:  Strong high pressure ridge is in place to the south with a weak upper level trough sweeping along the Canadian border this morning.  The latter feature will help to increase winds once again this afternoon especially across ridges of the Central Mountains.  Otherwise, conditions will remain hot and dry with Haines Indices in the 5 to 6 range through midweek.

  The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the VERY HIGH 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.  Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to federal, state, state endowment, private forestland and rangelands within the designated area.  One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.  

Nationally, there are 21 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 53 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.  Smoke from fires in Idaho and the West is drifting into the vicinity.  For more information go to https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

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

FIRE SUMMARY AUGUST 29, 2022

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at VERY HIGH Fire Danger

CENTRAL IDAHO FIRE RESTRICTIONS AREA IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

The Salmon-Challis National Forest has had five (5) new lightning fires in the last week. 

Quartz Fire (August 29): The lightning fire, located approximately 17 miles east of Salmon on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District is estimated at 0.10 acres.  Four firefighters are on scene working to suppress the fire burning in timber and grass.  In addition, a helicopter is doing bucket drops on the fire. 

Wheat Fire (August 26): The lightning fire, located approximately two (2) miles northeast of Corn Creek on the North Fork Ranger District, was estimated at ¼ acres.  The fire was located in the burn scar from 2012 Mustang Fire.  Four firefighters worked to suppress the fire in grass, brush, Ponderosa pine, and fir and the fire is out. 

Filly Fire (August 24): The lightning fire, located approximately 30 miles northwest of North Fork on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, is estimated at 0.10 acres.  The fire was burning a single tree in grass and snags, the fire is out. 

Nelson Fire (August 22): The lightning fire, located approximately 24 miles northeast of Stanley on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, was estimated at 0.10 acres.  Two (2) firefighers worked to suppress the fire in Douglas fir and the fire is out. 

Iron Fire (August 22): The lightning fire, located approximately ¼ mile southwest of Iron Lake Campground on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District, was estimated at 0.10 acres.  An engine and a handcrew squad worked to suppress the fire in grass and Ponderosa pine and the fire is out. 

Siah Fire (August 17): The lightning fire, located approximately six (6) miles northwest of Indian Creek Guard Station on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, remains estimated at 11 acres.  The fire is burning in grass, brush, and fir.  Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Siah Fire.  The fire is surrounded on three sides by the Kiwah Fire from 2018 as well as the Little Pistol Fire from 2000 across Indian Creek from the fire.  Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Fire Managers are assessing the fire by air.

Wilson Fire (August 15):  The lightning fire, located approximately four (4) miles southwest of Yellowjacket Campground on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, estimated at four (4) acres.  The fire was burning in grass, brush, fir, and downed timber, the fire is out. 

Petes Fire (August 14): The lightning fire, located approximately one (1) mile east of Moyer on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District, is estimated at nine (9) acres.  The fire is out. 

Norton (August 1):  The lightning fire is located approximately seven miles northwest of Lower Loon Creek on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The 1,859 acre fire burning in subalpine fir, Douglas fir, sagebrush, and grass is located in steep rugged terrain.  The fire continues to be moderately active, the majority of the fire growth has generally been on the South and Southeast sides of the fire in the South Fork of Norton Creek.  There has been activity in other drainages across the fire are.  The fire is under a point protection strategy, fire managers are utilizing air resources to determine action points and assess values in the vicinity.  Fire managers continue to assess the fire using remote cameras and aircraft.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8308/.  

Moose (July 17):  The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/.

Woodtick (July 14):  The lightning fire started as two separate fires approximately six (6) miles west, northwest of Meyers Cove on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The 6,063 acre fire burning in timber, grass, and brush is located in steep rugged terrain.  The most active part of the fire has been on the west side of fire in the area where Woodtick Creek, Martindale Creek, and West Fork of Camas Creek meet.  The fire has crossed over into the West Fork of Camas Creek.  There is also still heat at the lower drainage edge of fire in Martindale Creek.   The fire is under a point protection and confine and contain strategies with risk to responders and public safety being the top priority.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8253/.

Wolf Fang Fire (July 13):  The lightning fire is located approximately four (4) miles northeast of the confluence of Big Creek and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness on the North Fork Ranger District.  The 1,521 acre fire burning in spruce and fir is located in steep, rugged terrain.  On the north side of the fire, fire has moved into the Ship Island Creek drainage.  To the east, the fire has crossed an unnamed tributary to Ship Island Creek, continuing to move east towards Aggipah Mountain.  Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Wolf Fang Fire.  Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Middle Fork Peak lookout, a remote camera, and aviation are assessing the fire daily.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8273/. 

To date, there have been 35 wildfires reported on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  29 of those reported fires are out. 

Weather:  High pressure will produce hot and dry weather through much of the week. Minimum humidity values in the low teens and single digits will be possible. Although light winds are expected through midweek. 

The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the VERY HIGH 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.  Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to federal, state, state endowment, private forestland and rangelands within the designated area.  One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire. 

Nationally, there are 17 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 26 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 Twitter @salmonchallisnf. 

####

Woodtick and Norton Fires See Minimal Growth

The Woodtick Fire is at 5,737 acres, growing less than 100 acres over the last week. For the past few days, fire managers observed the fire backing slowly into the wet drainage bottom of Woodtick Creek. Remote heat areas remain in the Martindale Creek drainage. The Norton Fire is moving slowly and is currently at 1,266 acres. As the fire’s edge progresses south, it is moving into previous fire scars, which will likely limit the spread in that direction. Firefighters continue to observe fire behavior daily.

The Woodtick Fire (lightning-caused) started as two separate fires on July 14th, 2022, in a rugged and remote area in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The incident management team is using a combination of strategies on the fire. Firefighters made multiple attempts to directly engage with the fire. Due to the risk to firefighters in the remote, steep, and rugged terrain, fire managers decided to shift from a “direct attack” strategy to the “point protection” strategy. This focused operations on protecting highly valued resources such as structures, natural resources, cultural resources, and other property. Additionally, firefighters are employing the “confine and contain” strategy to safely connect natural barriers in the area (such as rocky outcrops and creeks) through actions including fireline construction, burn-out, and bucket drops. Since mid-July, the area has experienced multiple red flag warnings for gusty winds, high temperatures, low humidity, and thunderstorms. 

On July 30th and 31st, firefighters took the opportunity of favorable weather to implement a firing operation using aerial and hand ignition to eliminate fuel in the path of the fire. This allowed firefighters to secure the fire’s edge near the communities of Camas Creek, Red Spar, and Meyers Cover. After the backburn operation, crews patrolled, mopped up, and secured the fire’s edge in this area. Helicopters were used for bucket drops to cool hot spots. Equipment and supplies remain staged if needed for future point protection actions.  

The Norton Fire (lightning-caused) started on August 1st, 2022, approximately seven miles northwest of Lower Loon Creek in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The next day, the Norton Lookout and outbuildings were covered with structure wrap, which reflects radiant heat and diverts embers from settling directly on the building. Fire managers utilized air resources determine management action points and assess structures.  

Fire managers use cameras temporarily posted on the Sleeping Deer and Middle Fork Peak lookouts to observe fire activity in the inaccessible and rugged terrain of the Woodtick and Norton fires. 

While the fires remain active, the activity is in areas away from values or in locations where firefighters have plenty of time to implement point protection strategies. Most likely, the fires will extinguish sometime in the fall or early winter—when the days are shorter and the weather is cooler and wetter. Inciweb will be updated as significant activity occurs.

 Fire closures and restrictions can limit access for hunters – Know Before You Go! Idaho’s early hunting seasons often coincide with fire season, and hunters should consider that when planning trips. If they’re traveling to their favorite hunting spots, it’s important to stay informed about current fire condition and fire restrictions that can affect their hunts. Our partners at the Idaho Fish and Game have a very informative wildland fire webpage that can help answer questions concerning  wildfires and hunting areas/units > https://idfg.idaho.gov/fire?_ga=2.213993172.2109363415.1663163136-299610542.1662848158.  

Moose and Owl Fire Daily Update for Friday, September 16

Owl Fire Wildfire
News – 3 hrs. ago

 Moose and Owl Fire Daily Update                        September 16, 2022

Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salmonchallisnf

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/

INCIDENT STATISTICS

Moose Fire 130,079 Acres, Containment 50%, Personnel 857

Owl Fire 747 Acres, Containment 0%, Personnel 44

Along Ridge Road and the Diamond Line, heavy equipment operators work to remove log decks and maintain the suppression line. Drones will fly over sections of the fire to locate areas of heat. This allows hand crews the opportunity to safely find and eliminate these heat spots. Hand crews are going direct on these hot spots in the Stormy Peak area and within the Salmon Watershed south of the powerline. Firefighters are improving contingency containment lines along Williams Creek Road through chipping and dozer line construction. Structure protection, patrolling, and mop-up operations will continue in the Leesburg area and along the powerline where crews can safely work. Crews are finishing mopping and securing along the 300 Road to the west of Leesburg.

Great Basin Incident Management Team 1 took command of the Owl Fire last night. Engine crews and firefighters are protecting threatened structures in the area. Drones and firefighters are assessing areas to reduce growth.

We are expecting scattered showers and thunderstorms over the entire fire area today. Firefighters and others traveling along Salmon River Road may face hazards including falling rocks and weakened trees. Equipment operators along the Salmon River Road will quickly respond in case of rock falls or other debris that may roll down from the steep, recently burned slopes above it.

EVACUATIONS: Zones 1, 11, 12, and 13, the Beartrack Mine, and Leesburg are moved to "SET" status in the CodeRED system as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office. The Incident Management Team will continue to work closely with the Sheriff’s Office to consider additional changes to the evacuation status over the next few days, depending on weather. Additional details are at: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order was updated on September 9. The closure includes the area north of Williams Creek Road (FR-021), Deep Creek Road (FR-101), and certain roads, trails, and a defined geographic area around the fire. Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-509. This closure applies to hunting access, firewood cutting and gathering, fishing, hiking, camping, and other recreational activities

•

• Stage 1 Fire restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, BLM, and State of Idaho lands in

Custer and Lemhi Counties, excluding wilderness areas.

•

Visit our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/scnf, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow’ Us on Twitter @salmonchallisnf https://twitter.com/SalmonChallisNF 

 Moose Fire Daily Update                              September 15, 2022 

Fire Information: 208-742-6690 daily from 8 AM – 8 PM                Email: 2022.moose@firenet.gov

Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salmonchallisnf

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/

INCIDENT STATISTICS:

Acres

130,079

Containment

47%

Personnel

857

 Yesterday’s weather lifted the fog and provided crews an opportunity to further secure the fire’s edge in key locations. Firefighters took advantage of the lift in fog and smoke to identify the location of spot fires along the southeast portion of the fire using drones. Additionally, Idaho Power was able to conduct their assessments of the powerline, and power was restored to the mines and other structures yesterday afternoon. 

 Today brings a chance of wetting rain over the entire fire area, along with an increased chance of thunderstorms and gusty, erratic winds. As a result of the suppression actions of the firefighters and cooperation from the weather; fire activity is expected to be moderated.

  Firefighters working on containment lines will continue to face hazards including falling rocks and weakened trees. Road clearing equipment remains staged along the Salmon River Road to quickly respond in case of rock fall or other debris that may roll down from the steep, recently burned slopes above it. 

 Scouting trips in Jesse Creek and Turner Gulch within the Salmon Municipal Watershed region will continue to assess safe areas for crews to slow progression within the watershed. Along Ridge Road and the Diamond Line, hand crews and heavy equipment operators work to remove log decks and maintain the suppression line. Firefighters reduce roadside fuels through chipping and dozer line improvement along Williams Creek Road as part of contingency plans. Structure protection, patrolling, and mop-up operations will resume in the Leesburg area and along the powerline where crews can safely work. Crews are finishing mopping and securing along the 300 Road to the west of Leesburg.   

  EVACUATIONS: Zones 1, 11, 12, and 13, the Beartrack Mine, and Leesburg are moved to "SET" status in the CodeRED system as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office.  The Incident Management Team will continue to work closely with the Sheriff’s Office to consider additional changes to the evacuation status over the next few days, depending on weather. Additional details are at: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs 

 CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order was updated on September 9. The closure includes the area north of Williams Creek Road (FR-021), Deep Creek Road (FR-101), and certain roads, trails, and a defined geographic area around the fire. Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-509. This closure applies to hunting access, firewood cutting and gathering, fishing, hiking, camping, and other recreational activities·      

Public Lands north of the town of Salmon, south of Wallace Creek, and west of the Salmon River administered by the Salmon Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are temporarily Closed.·      

Stage 1 Fire restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, BLM, and State of Idaho lands in Custer and Lemhi Counties, excluding wilderness areas.·     

  For more information about area hunting units, please visit the Idaho Fish and Game fire map: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/ or the Idaho Fish and Game Salmon Region Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IDFG.salmon. 
 

Visit our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/scnf, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow’ Us on Twitter @salmonchallisnf https://twitter.com/SalmonChallisNF