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.

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

HIGHLIGHTS:  Erratic afternoon winds Monday caused the fire to spot up to one mile from the fire’s edge near Webfoot Creek, Jefferson Creek and south of the 300 Road at Rapps Creek. Two of the three spots were quickly cooled with water from helicopter bucket drops, and night crews engaged with those areas into the early morning hours today. The larger spot fire in the headwaters of the Jefferson drainage exhibited very active fire behavior and put up a smoke plume visible from Salmon, Idaho. This spot fire reached the 300 Road at Camp Creek between Leesburg and Beartrack Mine by late evening, and is still within containment lines. The power transmission line supplying the residences in Panther Creek and the mines is threatened. Structure protection in the form of sprinklers is in place at Leesburg should the fire’s edge reach that site.

Today, firefighters will try to hold the 300 Road as the fire actively moves south and east, and mop up hotspots near the firelines in the Moose Creek Road and Daly Creek areas, as well as patrol for hotspots in Napoleon Hill. On the western perimeter, crews will patrol and mop up in the Beaver Creek and Panther Creek areas. Elsewhere, the fuels work group will continue with fuel reduction actions beneath the powerline. Suppression repair work will begin on the Cabin Creek Road on Ulysses Mountain, north of the Salmon River. Heavy log truck traffic will continue on the Stormy Peak Road as logs are transported from the fuel reduction areas.

 WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Unseasonably warm again today. Humidity recovery will remain poor. Afternoon westerly winds may gust up to 20 mph on ridges. Due to record low fuel moisture, breezy winds will contribute to active fire behavior again in the afternoon. A dry cold front is expected Thursday.

 EVACUATIONS:  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.

 WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Unseasonably warm again today. Humidity recovery will remain poor. Afternoon westerly winds may gust up to 20 mph on ridges. Due to record low fuel moisture, breezy winds will contribute to active fire behavior again in the afternoon. A dry cold front is expected Thursday.

 EVACUATIONS:  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.

 Virtual public meeting Wednesday evening at 6:00. Teams Meeting Link  
 
Moose Fire will hold a Live Virtual Community Meeting on Wednesday 6:00pm MDT.  Click the above link to join.  Fire managers and local agency cooperators from the Moose Fire will present current fire information and updates

HIGHLIGHTS:
 The Moose Fire backed downslope in numerous areas yesterday, consuming another 1410 acres. The fire was again most active in Arnett, Rapps and Beaver drainages on the south edge. A spot fire near the headwaters of Jefferson Creek gained several acres in the afternoon as the inversion lifted. The fire has reached the fireline on the 300 Road two miles west of Leesburg and the Beartrack Mine. Firefighters mopped up near the fire line between Dump Creek and Daly Creek, using the unmanned aerial system to detect areas of heat. Crews also secured values at risk along Moose Creek Road. Chipping and mastication of fuels continued in the Allen Cabin area. Heavy equipment has completed line along the 300 Road west to Trail Creek and southwest toward Jureano Mountain, while graders and water tenders continue to improve and maintain the road system being used throughout the fire area.Today, crews will hold and improve the 300 Road, and keep an eye on fire growth near Bridge Creek, Arnett Creek and Rapps Creek, as well as patrolling Napoleon Hills for lingering hot spots. The Salmon River Road (FS-030) is still being patrolled daily for rockfall. A log landing was established in the Diamond area and pilot cars are assisting in getting log trucks up and down the Stormy Peak Road, coordinating with fire traffic associated with the Eastside Spike Camp. 
WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: High temperatures will remain in the 90s for the next several days, with low relative humidity. Afternoon westerly winds may gust up to 20 mph on ridges. Due to very low fuel moisture, the potential for extreme fire behavior exists if the fire area is subjected to sustained winds. 
EVACUATIONS: All zones are in “READY” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office. Detailsat: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-ChallisNational 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.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Despite a Red Flag Warning from 3-9 p.m. yesterday, fire spread was light and fire behavior was moderate. This behavior is expected to continue for the next couple of days. On the southern end of the fire, the fire actively burned in the Arnett and Rapps Creek areas and is expected to continue today. Crews patrolled the line between Dump Creek and Daly Creek, where the fire had previously been active. They also continued to reinforce primary line along Moose Creek Road, where the fire burned actively near Allen Creek. The fire is expected to continue moving toward that line today. Mastication continued west of the Beartrack Mine and Leesburg areas. Suppression repair will begin on containment lines north of the Salmon River near Ulysses Mountain. In the Panther Creek, Trail Creek and Beaver Creek drainages, crews continued visiting with property owners to validate structure protection measures and to identify any additional needs. Crews also patrolled for hot spots in these areas, and this work will continue today. A landing was established in the Diamond area so crews can stage log decks for removal as fuel removal continues. Crews will carry on with contingency line refinement along Deep Creek and Williams Creek Roads. Road crews have been actively working to keep dust down and roads clear for the safety of firefighter and heavy equipment.

WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Wind gusts may present the potential for torching and spotting. Overnight relative humidity recovery was generally poor. Fuel moistures remain low and record high temperatures are expected.

EVACUATIONS: 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.

The fire was active yesterday in the Daly Creek, Jackass Ridge, and Allen Creek areas, filling in unburned gaps near the fire perimeter. Infrared mapping shows the majority of the heat is near Arnett, Rapps, and Bridge Creeks, as well as the headwaters of Beaver Creek. Helicopters supported ground crews to limit the fire’s intensity as it moves closer to the masticated line along the 300 Roads.  Sprinklers and hoselays for structure protection are in place along Moose and Panther Creeks. Aviation resources and a Type 1 crew are assisting the Forest in responding to new fire starts.
On the southwest edge, the fire is actively backing down toward the containment line along the 300 Road between Leesburg and Jureano Mountain. Critical fire weather conditions and erratic winds today are expected to cause the fire to be most active in Arnett Creek and Rapps Creek drainages and crews are prepared to hold the control lines in the area. However, the fire is also approaching the burn scar from the Clear Creek Fire of 2000. Fuels within the burn scar are mostly young lodgepole pine mixed with bare areas, making the fuels discontinuous. This may moderate fire behavior as the Moose Fire burns through this previous fire area. 
While Highway 93, Salmon River Road (NF-030), and Panther Creek Road are currently open, travelers may see short traffic delays due to possible rock falls and fire equipment on the road.
WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: A Red Flag Warning has been issued for today, as the area will experience record-breaking heat and winds may be gusty and erratic, especially in the vicinity of any showers or virga this afternoon. As a result, extreme fire behavior is possible. Overnight relative humidity recovery was generally poor. Inversions may persist around 5,000 feet until this afternoon and develop again in the evening. Smoke in the area will linger due to active fire behavior, as well as other fires in the region. 
EVACUATIONS: All zones are in “READY” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office. Detailsat: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-ChallisNational 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.

Fire activity increased in the Arnett Creek area yesterday, filling in unburned gaps near the fire perimeter, and putting up a substantial smoke plume.  Aviation resources supported ground crews to subdue this fire activity and keep it limited to the Arnett area.   A new start was detected several miles north of the Salmon River Road; initial attack resources are working to contain that and are being supported by a heavy helicopter as needed. 
Contingency lines are being built along FSR 241 and FSR 098 and hand crews are working along the FSR 061 road. A fuels management group is moving logs and slash out of the power line corridor between Leesburg and FSR 020. Chipping operations continue around the fire with a concentration on the southern side.      
While Highway 93, Salmon River Road (NF-030), and Panther Creek Road are currently open, travelers may see short traffic delays due to possible rock falls and fire equipment on the road.
WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: The warming and drying trend we have experienced the last few days will continue.  The overnight relative humidity recovery remains moderate to poor. Day and night time inversions have prevented some surface heating over the fire. Hot and dry conditions are expected through the middle of next week. Areas inside the fire lines with heavy fuel loads may produce moderate smoke. The lower elevation daily weather inversion will hold in smoke and is moderating fire behavior.
EVACUATIONS: All zones are in “READY” status, as determined by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office. Detailsat: https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-ChallisNational 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.

On Wednesday, crews conducted repair and chipping work at recreation sites along the river corridor and will continue today. The fire perimeter along Highway 93 and NF 030 road remains in patrol and mop-up status. Mop up along Moose Creek Road, Daly Creek and Dump Creek continues with a transition towards rehabilitation and repair work.  Crews are seeing smoke around Beaver Creek and Trail Creek. In response, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) will be deployed as well as ongoing work on an indirect line. Panther Creek and its tributaries continue to be scouted for additional suppression lines and chipping opportunities. Structure protection will be maintained in the Panther Creek and Trail Creek areas. Fuels work continues beneath the power lines including moving log decks.  While Highway 93, Salmon River Road (NF-030), and Panther Creek Road are currently open, travelers may see short traffic delays with fire equipment on the road and an increase in recreation traffic to the area.
 
WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Temperatures still remain well above normal for this time of year. Winds will increase during the afternoon and evening as a weak disturbance moves through. Strong thermal belts will once again develop at night. Moderate fire behavior is expected throughout the fire's perimeter, with isolated areas of backing, flanking, and single tree torching possible. The potential for increased smoke exists due to upcoming warmer temperatures and low relative humidity.
 
EVACUATIONS: 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.