Updated Lemhi County Evacuation Zone maps are now available on InciWeb and on the Lemhi County Sheriff's Office website.  These updated maps more clearly show the streets within each zone.

Personnel assisting with the Moose Fire will hold a Live Virtual Community Meeting on Friday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. MDT. Click the link below to join. Fire managers and local agency cooperators will present current fire information and updates.

Teams Meeting Link 
 
The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook Page.

MOOSE FIRE EMERGENCY AREA, ROAD, AND TRAIL CLOSURE MODIFIED

Release Date: Sep 9, 2022

Contact(s): Amy Baumer

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/8249/

Effective September 8, 2022, the Salmon‐Challis National Forest has implemented the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐22‐509, which includes updates to a road and trail status.  Baldy Mountain Road (#60026) to the intersection with #60020 is open and Perreau Trail (#6077) is open.

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS:

Described Area: All NFS lands on the North Fork and Salmon-Cobalt Ranger Districts of the Salmon-Challis National Forest in the area bounded at the junction of the Salmon-Challis National Forest boundary and National Forest System Road (NFSR) #021 Williams Creek Road, then following NFSR #021 Williams Creek Road to NFSR #101 Deep Creek Road, then following NFSR #101 Deep Creek Road to NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road, then following NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road to NFSR #030 Salmon River Road, then following NFSR #030 Salmon River Road east to U.S Highway 93 intersection , then following U.S. Highway 93 south approximately three miles to the Salmon-Challis National Forest boundary, then following the Salmon-Challis National Forest Boundary south to the point of origin at the junction of the Salmon-Challis National Forest boundary and NFSR #021 Williams Creek Road.

Described Roads and Trails: All NFS roads (NFSR) and trails (NFST) within the Closed Area are closed, except as noted below.

Note:  The main Salmon River is open.  River access and recreation sites along NFSR #030 Salmon River Road are also open.

The following National Forest System Roads (NFSR) and Trails (NFST) are open:

NFSR #030 Salmon River Road

NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road

NFSR #021 Williams Creek Road

NFSR #101 Deep Creek Road

PURPOSE: 

The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety from the effects of the Moose Fire.

This Order will be in effect from September 8th and shall remain in effect until rescinded 

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

 9/9/2022   Moose Fire is 125,059 acres today and 35% contained.
There is a virtual public meeting on Teams and on Salmon-Challis Facebook Live tonight at 6 pm.  
 Great Basin Team 1 will take command of the Moose Fire Saturday at 6:00 am

HIGHLIGHTS:

After Wednesday night’s 15,000-acre fire growth and evacuation of two Zones near Salmon, ID, crews reengaged the fire and began preparing new contingency lines along west edge of Salmon, ID.  Several water pumps, five log decks, and some portable water storage tanks (nicknamed pumpkins because of their shape and color) were lost during the inferno.  No firefighters were injured, and no accidents occurred.  Napias Creek at the geographic center of yesterday’s fire front continues to hold heat.   The fire has encroached approximately 489 acres into the Salmon Municipal Watershed.  The affected area is the northernmost tip of the Watershed and a large spot fire south of the powerline which feeds Panther Creek and three mines. The Contingency Group was reassigned to structure protection and will now be referred to as the Structure Group.  The Structure Group is coordinating with local resources to plan & protect structures north and west of the town of Salmon.  A dozer line was constructed as a contingency line along the foothills from Diamond Line to Stormy Peak Road. 
Cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, and thick smoke contributed to minimal fire behavior across the fire’s footprint yesterday.  All heavy equipment in the Fuels Removal Group was walked off the hill via Stormy Peak Road.  Many areas were systematically assessed, and spots extinguished.  Other completed activities include snagging and mopping up, opening the 197 Road for access, and prepping the 096 Road to reduce accumulated fuels.   Damaged pumps and sprinklers were replaced, plumbed, and are up and running.  Fallen trees across the 300 Road near Leesburg were removed to gain access. 
Today’s plan is to hold fire west of Diamond Creek Road, north of the Salmon Municipal Watershed, north of 300 Road near Arnett Creek, continue to protect values at risk, patrol and extinguish spot fires and hot spots, clear roads for access, and continue the constructed fire line from Stormy Peak towards Pollard Acres and the Williams Creek Road. 
 
 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/LemhiCountyEvacs
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order was updated on September 8 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.

 Order Number: 04-13-22-509  September 8, 2022  UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE  FOREST SERVICE  SALMON-CHALLIS NATIONAL FOREST  NORTH FORK and SALMON COBALT RANGER DISTRICTS  Moose Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure
 Described Area: All NFS lands on the North Fork and Salmon-Cobalt Ranger Districts of the Salmon-Challis National Forest in the area bounded at the junction of the Salmon-Challis National Forest boundary and National Forest System Road (NFSR) #021 Williams Creek Road, then following NFSR #021 Williams Creek Road to NFSR #101 Deep Creek Road, then following NFSR #101 Deep Creek Road to NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road, then following NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road to NFSR #030 Salmon River Road, then following NFSR #030 Salmon River Road east to U.S Highway 93 intersection , then following U.S. Highway 93 south approximately three miles to the Salmon-Challis NF boundary, then following the Salmon-Challis NF Boundary south to the point of origin at the junction of the Salmon-Challis NF boundary and NFSR #021 Williams Creek Road. Described Roads and Trails: All NFS roads (NFSR) and trails (NFST) within the Closed Area are closed, except as noted below. Note: The main Salmon River is open. River access and recreation sites along NFSR #030Salmon River Road are also open. The following National Forest System Roads (NFSR) and Trails (NFST) are open: NFSR #030 Salmon River Road NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road NFSR #021 Williams Creek Road NFSR #101 Deep Creek Road

Personnel assisting with the Moose Fire will hold a Live Virtual Community Meeting on Thursday, September 8 at 6:00pm MDT.  Click the link below to join.  Fire managers and local agency cooperators from the Moose Fire will present current fire information and updates.

Teams Meeting Link 
 
The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook Page.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Evacuations were ordered last night for areas a few miles north of Salmon, Idaho as the Moose Fire crossed the Ridge Road and moved downhill toward the town of Salmon after 9 pm.  A dry cold front moved over the fire yesterday afternoon, producing 40 mph winds and extreme fire behavior until the early morning hours.  The eastern fire edge is now within three miles of Hwy 93 at Stormy Peak Road.  An infrared (IR) flight overnight shows an increase of 15,136 acres over the last two days.  The infrared map indicates that the fire impinged upon the very north end of the watershed of the City of Salmon, just north of Jesse.

Ground forces and aerial resources engaged the fire yesterday until trigger points were reached, forcing them to retreat to safety zones.  Firefighters also plumbed and activated sprinklers in Leesburg, the Leesburg Cemetery, along the Ridge Road, on Moose Creek Road near Daly Creek, and along 1.5 miles of log decks on Moose Creek / Stormy Peak Road, to protect values at risk before pulling off the fireline. Crews were pulled from Williams Spike late last night and were in place to protect structures in the Diamond and Stormy areas through the night. Today, resources will focus on structure protection in the foothills near Diamond and in the Moose Creek area.

Another strike team of engines has been ordered.  Aerial resources will be up to assess conditions in the Leesburg area and across the fire.

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR:
A Red Flag Warning is in place from 12:00  - 9:00 pm today as a cold front and dry air are expected to arrive on gusty northwest winds in the early afternoon. Explosive fire behavior is possible, with very rapid rates of spread and long-range spotting. More seasonable temperatures are expected by the weekend. 

EVACUATIONS: The Beartrack Mine and Leesburg area were evacuated on September 6th.  As of last night, Zones 1 and 11 are in ‘GO” status. 12, and 13 are in “SET” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office. Details at: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order issued on August 17 remains in effect for certain roads, trails, and a defined geographic area around the fire. Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-507 . 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.

Moose Fire  crossed the Ridge Road above the town of Salmon, Idaho at about 9 pm Wednesday. All residents in Zones 1 and 11 are in "GO" status.  Zones 12 and 13 are in "SET" status.  Zone 1 is Fairgrounds to Tower Creek, Zone 11 is Fairgrounds to Moore Cr. Road on west side of Hwy 93.  Zone 12 is upper Fairmont to Hayhook Drive.  Zone 13 is 16th St to Pollard Cr., including Leesburg/Blackrock. 
Shelter line is 208-756-3324. Shelter has beds, showers and meals for evacuees.  If you have animals needing placement call Tommie and Paul Palmer at 208 940-0220. 

At 4:00 pm today Lemhi County Sheriff Steven Penner announced a change in the evacuation status for Zones 11, 12, and 13.  These zones are being moved into the "READY" status and are located on the west side of Salmon.

*Virtual public meeting Wednesday evening at 6:00. Teams Meeting Link

HIGHLIGHTS:

The spot fire that established in Jefferson Creek on Monday pushed over a mile on Tuesday, reaching the Beartrack Mine.  At approximately 3:45pm yesterday afternoon, the power line feeding Panther Creek, Leesburg, and the Beartrack, Blackbird, and Idaho Cobalt Mines was deenergized, and fire officials recommended the Beartrack Mine and Leesburg be evacuated due to extreme fire behavior. 

Three Hot Shot crews and several helicopters worked on yesterday’s new spot fires over the 300 Road near Rapps Creek until it became too unsafe and ground crews disengaged, retreating to safety zones.  After determining the best locations to reengage the fire, firefighters employed direct and indirect tactics along the 300 Road, adjacent to the Beartrack Mine, and in the Leesburg area.   Communication and coordination between resources has been seamless in keeping firefighters safe and strategically engaging the fire.  Resources from other areas of the fire relocated to assist in firefighting efforts.  The Contingency Group completed masticating fuels for one mile along the 098 Road south of Wade Fraser.  A hose lay is in place along 061 Road for point protection near structures and other values at risk. 

As fuels continue to break records for lowest moisture contents ever, the  fire’s rate of spread is approximately ½ mile per hour with spotting up to one mile. 

The area between Arnett Creek and Allen Creek continues to be the most active portion of the fire.  Today, hand crews are planning direct attack along the 300 Road at Rapps Creek up to Leesburg and along Moose Creek Road.  The Contingency Group is assessing opportunities on the 065 Road off Ridge Road for constructing a fuel break and future fire engagement.  Point protection in the form of hose lays and sprinklers is in place at Leesburg for historical values at risk.

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR:

A Red Flag Warning is in place from 1:00  - 9:00pm today, with temperatures in the 90s and above and wind gusts of 30 mph expected.  An overnight thunderstorm is possible.  Active overnight winds continue to push the fire through record-low fuels. 

EVACUATIONS: The Beartrack Mine was evacuated on September 6th.  All zones are in “READY” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office. Details at: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order issued on August 17 remains in effect for certain roads, trails, and a defined geographic area around the fire. Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-507 . 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.