Moose Fire Daily Update                                September 14, 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/
 

  COMMUNITY MEETING: Join us in person or virtually for a community meeting this evening, Wednesday, at 6:00 PM at the Idaho Fish and Game, Salmon Regional Office – 99 Highway 93 North Salmon, ID. It will be broadcasted here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRTjI3ZoZDOmORid09GEodg 

 Welcome wetting rain fell over the entire fire area yesterday and overnight, with around 0.25” to 0.5” measured throughout the fire area. Expect areas of fog, lingering smoke and continued poor visibility this morning, and clouds moved over the area in the afternoon.  Heavy rain, hail, and gusty winds are possible with afternoon thunderstorms. More information about the smoke can be found here; Moose Fire Smoke Outlook. 

 Yesterday’s rain helped to lower fuel moisture levels, and fire activity was minimal, with low intensity fire creeping and smoldering on the ground. Little if any fire growth is anticipated in the next few days. The latest infrared flight still shows persistent heat along the southeast flank in the heavy timber in the watershed. Firefighters working on containment lines will be faced with hazards including falling rocks and dangerous fire weakened trees. Some road clearing equipment has been moved to be staged along the Salmon River Road to quickly respond in case rocks or other debris roll down from the steep, recently burned slopes above it. 

 Crews continue to work to secure the fire’s edge above Savage Ranch, Wallace Gulch, and Diamond Creek. Also, crews are setting up an extensive sprinkler systems with hose-lays, portable tanks, and pumps along the Ridge Road south of the Diamond Line, and heavy equipment crews are working to remove log decks. Hand crews are using chainsaws to clear brush and remove fuel from either side of the Williams Creek Road, preparing it for use as an indirect containment line if needed. 

 EVACUATIONS: Zones 1 and 11, the Beartrack Mine and Leesburg have been moved back from "GO" to "SET" status in CodeRED system.  Zones 12, and 13 are in “SET” status, 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 changing the evacuation status over the next day or two. 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) and the 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. 
 

INCIDENT STATISTICS

Acres

130,077

Containment

47%

Personnel

907

Hand Crews

20

Engines

21

Helicopters

3 Type 1; 1 Type 2; 1 Type 3
 

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

 Moose Fire Update 09/13/2022 430pm
Zones 1 & 11 have been moved back from "GO" to "SET" status

for more details go to: 
https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/site-home/urgent-alerts/latest-updates-moose-fire-and-wood-tick-updated-09132022-430pm 

 Moose Fire Daily Update                                September 13, 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/

 
  COMMUNITY MEETING: Our next in person/virtual community meeting is planned for tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00 PM at the Idaho Fish and Game, Salmon Regional Office – 99 Highway 93 North Salmon, ID. 

 A welcome change in the weather arrives today, and the forecast calls for cooler and more humid conditions to continue through the rest of the week. Clouds and rain showers are likely today with up to a quarter of an inch of rainfall possible across the fire area and perhaps more in areas where potential afternoon thunderstorms develop. Gusty, erratic winds associated with thunderstorms are possible with these. Incident helicopters were again grounded for most of the day yesterday because smoke and haze limited visibility and caused unsafe flying conditions, but today’s rainy weather should push out the smoke. Moose Fire Smoke Outlook. 

 Despite critically dry fuel conditions, firefighters on the line yesterday observed mostly low intensity ground fire with occasional tree torching. With the cloud cover and increasing humidity, very little fire growth is anticipated in the next few days. However, fire activity could quickly increase with erratic winds associated with scattered afternoon thunderstorms. 

 Engine crews continue to provide day and night structure protection for properties west of the town of Salmon and the historic Leesburg area. Crews are also setting up extensive sprinkler systems with hose-lays, portable tanks, and pumps along the Ridge Road south of the Diamond Line. Hand crews are using chainsaws to clear brush and remove fuel from either side of the Williams Creek Road, preparing it for use as an indirect containment line if needed. 

 EVACUATIONS: Zones 1 and 11, the Beartrack Mine and Leesburg area remain evacuated and in “GO” status using the CodeRED system.  Zones 12, and 13 are in “SET” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office.  With the potential change in weather conditions, the Incident Management Team will be working closely with the Sheriff’s Office to consider changing the evacuation status over the next day or two. 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) and the 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. 

INCIDENT STATISTICS

Acres

127,500

Containment

37%

Personnel

918

Hand Crews

21

Engines

47

Helicopters

5 Type 1; 1 Type 2; 1 Type 3
 

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

 COMMUNITY MEETING: Our next in person/virtual community meeting is planned for Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00 PM at the Idaho Fish and Game, Salmon Regional Office – 99 Highway 93 North Salmon, ID.
 
Youtube channel link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRTjI3ZoZDOmORid09GEodg 

 Moose Fire Daily Update                      September 12, 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/

 COMMUNITY MEETING: Join us for an in-person community meeting this evening at 6:00 pm outside at the Sacajawea Center Amphitheater, 2700 Main Street in Salmon. Our plan is to try and answer all of your questions, and we'll stick around until we do. The meeting will also be broadcasted on Facebook Live here https://bit.ly/3qryb6n. 

 Calm conditions and a lingering temperature inversion will allow the smokey conditions to persist in the Salmon area again for much of today. Thankfully, a change in the weather is expected beginning this afternoon, bringing clouds, increasing humidity, possible erratic wind, and a decent chance of rain heading into the week. Our helicopters were again grounded for much of the day yesterday because smoke and haze limited visibility and caused unsafe flying conditions. Pilots and firefighters expect similar smokey weather again today, and most of the helicopters may have to be kept on the ground again, at least until conditions clear. Moose Fire Smoke Outlook. 

 Fuel conditions in the region are critically dry, overnight humidity levels did not drop much at all, and the fire remains active, especially in timbered terrain. With partial clearing, firefighters on the line observed single and group tree torching. Little fire growth is expected, with calm conditions in the morning and continued shading from the smoke over the fire. However, fire activity could pick up significantly when the smoke lifts, and any increase in windspeed or shift in direction could also cause an increase in fire behavior. Firefighters continue to confront and look for opportunities to safely suppress the fire and limit its eastward growth particularly in the Savage Creek Drainage and around structures in Diamond Creek. Hand and engine crews will continue to reinforce containment lines on the fire edge east of the historic Leesburg area and in the Napias Creek and Sawpit Creek drainages. 

 A dozen engines patrolled across the fire area on the night shift, monitoring the fire edge, around structures, and searching for and extinguishing spot fires. Engine crews today continued to provide structure protection for properties west of the town of Salmon.  Other crews are setting up extensive hose systems, portable tanks, and pumps along the ridge road south of the old Diamond Line, while heavy equipment crews work to remove the many log decks in the area. 

 EVACUATIONS: Zones 1 and 11, the Beartrack Mine and Leesburg area remain evacuated and in “GO” status using the CodeRED system.  Zones 12, and 13 are in “SET” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office.  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) and the 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. 

INCIDENT STATISTICS

Acres

126,925

Containment

37%

Personnel

866

Hand Crews

16

Engines

45

Helicopters

5 Type 1; 1 Type 2; 1 Type 3

Visit our website at: 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 11, 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/

 
 September 11, 2001 is a day we will never forget. We will never forget the firefighters, innocent civilians, first responders and their family and friends who lost a loved one that day. Today, as we go about our duties, please remember to take a moment to reflect on those lost and the good work we do to honor them and our country. 

 Smoke and haze will persist in the Salmon Valley through most of the day, and despite extremely dry fuel conditions, cooler temperatures, smoke shading, and light winds are expected to cause only limited fire growth. Our helicopters were grounded for most of the day yesterday because the inversion-trapped smoke and haze sitting in the valley does not allow for safe flying conditions. Pilots and firefighters expect similar weather again today, and most of the helicopters are likely to be kept on the ground again, at least until conditions clear. Moose Fire Smoke Outlook. 

 The fire remains active, especially in timbered terrain, and activity increases when the smoke lifts. Firefighters observed single and group tree torching and some short distance spotting yesterday. Unlike the strong out-flow winds of last week, the lighter winds expected again today are unlikely to throw embers long distances across containment lines and create hard to detect spot fires.  However, any increase in windspeed will also cause an increase in fire behavior. 

 Firefighters continue to assess and look for opportunities to safely engage the fire and limit its growth in the Diamond Creek, Bob Moore, Fensters, and Jesse Creek area. Engine crews are providing structure protection for properties west of the town of Salmon by clearing brush and setting up sprinkler systems with pumps, portable water tanks and hose lays. Engines will continue to patrol day and night along the Stormy Peak Road and in the Diamond Creek area, monitoring the fire edge and searching for and extinguishing spot fires. Crews will continue work on containment lines on the fire edge near Stormy Peak in Wallace Creek to the north and in the Bob Moore Creek drainage to the south. Several hand and engine crews and will monitor and patrol the fire’s edge and continue to protect the historic structures in the Leesburg area, while reinforcing and strengthening both indirect and direct containment lines north of Forest Road-300 and along the fire edge near Napias and Sawpit Creeks. 

 COMMUNITY MEETING: Join us for an in-person community meeting tomorrow at 6:00 pm outside at the Sacajawea Center Amphitheater, 2700 Main Street in Salmon, the meeting will also be broadcasted on Facebook Live here https://bit.ly/3qryb6n 

 EVACUATIONS: Zones 1 and 11, the Beartrack Mine and Leesburg area remain evacuated and in “GO” status using the CodeRED system.  Zones 12, and 13 are in “SET” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office.  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) and the 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. 

INCIDENT STATISTICS

Acres

126,252

Containment

37%

Personnel

847

Hand Crews

17

Engines

44

Helicopters

5 Type 1; 1 Type 2; 1 Type 3

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

 COMMUNITY MEETING: Join us for an in-person community meeting Monday at 6:00 pm outside at the Sacajawea Center Amphitheater, 2700 Main Street in Salmon. Our plan is to answer all your questions, and we'll stick around until we do. The meeting will also be broadcasted on Facebook Live here https://bit.ly/3qryb6n.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management

Notice of Temporary Closure for Wildfire Suppression Efforts on Public Lands in Lemhi County, ID

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Temporary Closure for Wildfire Suppression Efforts

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that 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) will be Temporarily Closed to entry by members of the public.

DATES: This Closure will be in effect from noon on September 8, 2022, until emergency firefighting operations cease.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Price, Salmon Field Manager, (208) 756-5410. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the above individual during normal business hours. The FIRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the above individual. You will receive a reply during normal hours.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This closure affects all Public Lands managed by the BLM north of the town of Salmon and west of the Salmon River in Lemhi County, Idaho. The legal description of the affected public lands is T22N R21E, and T22N R22E Sections 7 and 18. The Temporary Closure is necessary to provide protection to visitors given the increased fire behavior of the Moose Fire and the high volume of fire traffic in the area. The closure includes the Morgan Bar Campground.

This closure will be posted at the Salmon Field Office and signs with the closure will be posted on the Leesburg/Powerline, Black Rock, Stormy Peak and Diamond Creek Roads where they enter BLM administered lands.

The following persons are exempt from this order: Federal, state, and local officers and employees in the performance of their official duties; members of organized rescue or fire-fighting forces in the performance of their official duties; and persons with written authorization from the BLM.

Linda R. Price Field Manager Salmon Field Office

AUTHORITY: 43 CFR Section 9212.2

 Moose Fire Daily Update                                                          September 10, 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/

At 6:00 am today, the Great Basin Type 1 Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the Moose Fire.

 Yesterday, the fire experienced cooler temperatures, lighter winds, and thick smoke which aided firefighting resources with fire suppression actions across the fire footprint. Engines and hand crews along the 300 Road spent the day ensuring that interior hot spots were extinguished within 100 feet from the roadway. West of Leesburg, crews have been assigned to the Salmon Municipal Watershed division to assess and look for opportunities to safely engage in the affected areas. Today’s plan is to continue the good work that was initiated by Great Basin Team 5.
The Structure Group will complete structure assessments west of the town of Salmon and the newly established Leesburg Group will monitor and patrol the fire’s edge and continue to protect the historic community.  The remaining fire resources will hold the fire west of the Stormy Peak Road, north of the Salmon Municipal Watershed, north of 300 Road near Arnett Creek, continue to protect the many values at risk, patrol and extinguish spot fires and hot spots, and clear roads for access. The smoke outlook can be accessed here  https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/5e1c2924? 
 COMMUNITY MEETING: There is no scheduled community meeting for today. 
 AIR QUALITY:  Fire behavior and smoke production are expected to be slightly moderated today under lighter winds. Smoke production was slightly moderated yesterday, and NE winds helped to transport smoke away from the Salmon and Lemhi valleys. The incoming clean air from Montana reduced smoke concentrations and we’ll start the day off much cleaner than we have been over the last week. EVACUATIONS: The Beartrack Mine and Leesburg area were evacuated on September 6th.  On September 7th, Zones 1 and 11 were placed in ‘GO” status and evacuated using the CodeRED system. Zones 12, and 13 are in “SET” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office.  Additional details are at: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacsCLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order was updated on September 9 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. Firewood permits and additional details are available at Salmon-Challis NF offices. For your safety, please stay out of the fire area north of the Salmon River, as well as other burned areas. Loose rocks, hazard trees, and lingering hot spots can all be extremely dangerous.FIRE RESTRICTIONS: 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. Idaho Fish and Game fire map: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/   

INCIDENT STATISTICS

Acres

125,993

Containment

37%

Personnel

809

Hand Crews

17

Engines

38

Helicopters

3 Type 1; 3 Type 2; 1 Type 3

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