The Salmon River Road will be open to through traffic today from 6:00 AM until 1:00 PM. Panther Creek Road will be closed intermittently for short durations to allow firefighters to perform tactical firing operations. We ask that extreme caution is used when traveling these roads in order to maintain public and firefighter safety. The Lolo Hotshots successfully performed tactical firing operations along Panther Creek Road yesterday. In performing that operation, they successfully reduced fuels along Panther Creek Road. Similar operations will occur today dependent on weather conditions. In the Panther Creek and Moose Creek areas, firefighters continue to enhance structure protection and perform mop up. Efforts continue in strengthening the 300 Road line to prevent the fire from moving south and east, and therefore protect the Salmon Municipal Watershed.An Unmanned Aviation System (UAS) or “drone” arrived yesterday, which will be used to monitor fire activity in the Moose Creek area to protect the municipal watershed and powerlines. It will also aid in monitoring fire activity in the Panther Creek and Salmon River area. The UAS could possibly be used for tactical firing operations if there is a need, and conditions are right. 
WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today warm weather with higher humidity are forecasted again. Shower and storm chances will be displaced further east, cutting down on the coverage of showers and storms for the fire area. Expected cloud cover, higher humidity, and chance of isolated precipitation will keep fire activity minimal to moderate. The thunderstorm potential is lower, but still present.
  
EVACUATIONS: Zone 15 has been added to “READY” status. Residents in Zone 1 and Zone 8 remain in “SET” status. All other zones are in “READY” status. Click here for the latest updates. 

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order remains in effect for the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-507

 #MooseFire ADVISORY Conditions are favorable to allow a temporary opening of Salmon River Road tomorrow, Sunday, August 21st. The road will be open between the hours of 6:00am to 1:00pm, if conditions still warrant safe access. Stay tuned for daily updates via Facebook and Inciweb each evening when the road closures for the following day will be published.The Panther Creek Road remains open as an alternative route at this time as well.

Panther Creek Temporary Road Closure- August 20, 2022
 
Operations has determined the need to conduct tactical firing operations along the Panther Creek Road between Beaver Creek and Trail Creek through the evening to hold the fire north east of Panther Creek.  Road guards and pilot cars will be in place to provide for public and fire personnel safety.  Delays are expected to be up to 4 hours or less. The closure will be necessary for crews to safely work. Firefighters will work to reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.

Salmon River Road remains closed due to unsafe travel conditions caused by debris (including large boulders and trees) that continue to be deposited on the road. For more fire information, call 208-742-6690.

Highlights: The Salmon River Road will remain closed due to unsafe travel conditions caused by debris (including large boulders and trees) that continue to be deposited on the road. 
 
Yesterday afternoon a thunder cell collapsed over the areas of Hog Springs, Beaver Creek and Trail Creek. The erratic downburst of winds caused the fire to grow in multiple directions. It also caused an increase in the amount of debris deposited on Salmon River Road.
The fire burned actively all night, coming within 500 yards of Panther Creek Road in the area between Beaver Creek and Trail Creek. As the fire gets closer to the road, temporary closures of up to four hours will occur to allow firefighters time and space to safely perform tactical firing operations to keep the fire from crossing the road. This could happen as early as today. It is critical the firefighters have access to work in this area and hold the fire along the road to minimize potential for spread to the west side of the road. Panther Creek Road is very narrow. There is little room for traffic to turn around. 

We understand this causes an impact to the local community and businesses. Firefighters will work to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so minimizing closure time. 

We ask for your patience as we plan for both firefighting operations and public access. The change in fire behavior will depend on unstable weather this weekend. Updated information will be disseminated as soon as it is available. For current road status please call the Fire Information Line at 208-742-6690.
WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms bring threats of downdrafts and heavy isolated precipitation. The fire remains active; however, moisture will moderate activity in light fuels. Heavier fuels will remain dry and available to burn. Downdrafts can push fire erratically especially where slope and fuels align.
EVACUATIONS: Zone 15 has been added to “READY” status. Residents in Zone 1 and Zone 8 remain in “SET” status. All other zones are in “READY” status. Click here for the latest updates.
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order remains in effect for the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-507.

Air Quality: ‘Good’ to ‘Moderate’ air quality in the Lemhi Valley this morning. We’ll likely see periods of smoke this afternoon and air quality potentially reaching ‘Moderate’ levels. Smoke could build back into the Cobalt area again today. Everyone should continue to see improved air quality tomorrow as wetter weather moves in and fire activity moderates. A daily smoke outlook can be found here.
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.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): There is a flight restriction over the fire area and drones are also prohibited. Thank you for respecting the TFR. If you fly, we can’t fly. https://tfr.faa.gov/ 
 

Moose Fire ADVISORY Last night the fire continued to progress toward Panther Creek Road, coming within 500 yards of the road. As conditions allow, firefighters will be performing tactical firing operations in the area between Beaver Creek and Trail Creek. A temporary road closure on Panther Creek Road is possible for this afternoon. Delays are expected to be up to 4 hours or less. The closure will be necessary for crews to safely work. Firefighters will work to reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
Salmon River Road remains closed due to unsafe travel conditions caused by debris (including large boulders and trees) that continue to be deposited on the road.
For more fire information, call 208-742-6690.

 The western edge of the fire continues to be the most active. Dependent upon fire activity, there is a potential for road closure changes on the Panther Creek Road and the closed portion of the Salmon River Road.

  The fire is within ¼ mile of the Panther Creek Road, and it is expected to burn down to the edge of the road. Firefighters have been reducing fuels along the road in anticipation of this event and will continue with this work today.   When the fire reaches Panther Creek Road, there is a potential for short duration closures to allow firefighters room to safely work the fire including anticipated debris falling on the road.   It is also expected, as conditions allow, that the closed portion of the Salmon River Road will have short duration openings Saturday morning. As the fire progresses today, the situation will be analyzed and coordinated. Updated information will be disseminated as soon as it is available. For current road status please call the Fire Information Line at 208-742-6690.   In the Diamond Creek area, firefighters continued to patrol the line for heat. In the Napoleon area, firefighters mopped up hot spots picked up by thermal imaging. They continue to work on direct and indirect lines utilizing masticators and line crews. Firefighters continue to strengthen the 300 Road line to keep the fire from moving east. The fire was active in the Arnette Creek area. Aerial resources are available for operations today.   Nighttime firefighting resources continue to work in the Panther Creek, Beaver Creek, Napoleon and 300 Road areas.   WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today an upper trough starts to move over Idaho bringing a slight chance of showers. Any shower activity could bring spotty but brief gusty winds. The chance of showers and thunderstorms increases Saturday and Sunday bringing the possibility of areas of wetting rain. Even with the slight decrease in temperatures today and slight increase in humidity, active fire behavior is expected.   EVACUATIONS: Zone 15 has been added to “READY” status. Residents in Zone 1 and Zone 8 remain in “SET” status. All other zones are in “READY” status. Click here for the latest updates.
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order remains in effect for the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-507

Moose Fire Daily UpdateThursday August 18, 2022
 
Acerage: 86,102
Containment:  34%
 HighlightsThe Baldy Mountain Road (FS 026) is opening today for firewood cutting from Perreau Creek Road to the junction of the Ridge Road (FS 020). As a reminder, at this time the Ridge Road remains closed to travel. Personal use fuelwood permits are available at local Salmon- Challis National Forest offices as well as several area businesses.
A portion of the Salmon River Road, from Spring Creek to Panther Creek, remains closed until further notice because the fire continues to destabilize the steep slopes causing debris (including large boulders and trees) being deposited on the road. At this time road conditions are not safe for travel. Click here for Alternate route information.
The Bureau of Land Management announced the Morgan Bar Campground is now open.
The majority of fire activity is occurring in the area between Pine Creek, Beaver Creek Panther Creek Road, and a finger moving southwest from the FS 300 Rd. Firefighters continue to strengthen the 300 Rd line to keep the fire from moving south and east. In the Beaver Creek area, firefighters focused on structure protection efforts.
In the Moose Creek Estates area, firefighters strengthened direct and indirect lines. Yesterday in the Napoleon area, firefighters successfully conducted a 200 acre burn operation to help bring the fire down to the main control line (road). In the Diamond Creek area, firefighters continued to patrol the line for heat.
Nighttime firefighting resources are working in the Napoleon area and they are also working the Beaver Creek area and the active fire area along the Salmon River corridor.
WEATHER and FIRE BEHAVIOR: Hot and dry weather persists.High terrain temps will reach to upper 80’s and in the valleys nearing99). Along with lower relative humidity today (7 to 15%) fire behavior is expected to be moderate, mainly creeping and smoldering. Interior pockets will continue to burn with the potential for small-group tree torching. Wind driven fire is not expected with the forecasted light winds (9 mph with gusts to 15 mph).
EVACUATIONS: Zone 15 has been added to “READY” status. Residents in Zone 1 and Zone 8 remain in “SET” status. All other zones are in “READY” status. Click here for the latest updates.
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order remains in effect for the Moose Fire EmergencyArea, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-507

 MOOSE FIRE EMERGENCY AREA, ROAD, AND TRAIL CLOSURE MODIFIED

AUGUST 17, 2022

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at VERY HIGH Fire Danger

CENTRAL IDAHO FIRE RESTRICTIONS AREA IS IN STAGE I FIRE RESTRICTIONS

On InciWeb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/

Effective August 18, 2022, at 6:00 a.m., the Salmon‐Challis National Forest has implemented the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐22‐507, 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. 

Description of Closed Area, Roads, and Trails (#04-13-22-507): 

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

NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road.

NFSR #021 Williams Creek Road

NFSR #101 Deep Creek Road

NFSR #030 Salmon River Road from U.S Highway 93 west to Spring Creek

NFSR #026 Baldy Mountain Road

NFST #077 Perreau Trail

The following NFSR are closed:

NFSR #030 Salmon River Road from Spring Creek west to NFSR #055 Morgan/Panther Creek Road

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 August 18th 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. 

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FireWe will likely have another active fire day thanks to very hot temperatures and dry conditions. Area around Haystack and Copper Mountains continues to be the most active. Details on the Moose Fire are available at "Moose fire Inciweb"
SmokeAreas starting the day with smoke should see some improvement after noon. As fire activity picks up this afternoon, we’ll see smoke move back into the Lemhi Valley. Salmon, Carmen, North Fork, Elk Bend, and Lemhi could see periods of ‘Unhealthy’ air quality by late afternoon/evening. Air quality in the Lemhi Valley will likely be poor until we experience weather changes expected this weekend. Please see ‘Actions to Protect Yourself’ below.

A virtual public meeting will be held TODAY, Aug 17 at 6pm on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook Page.

Due to increased fire activity along the Salmon River from Pine Creek to Panther Creek, the portion of the Salmon River Road (#030) between Spring Creek and Panther Creek will be closed until further notice.  Panther Creek Rd is the alternate route to access Corn Creek.  The alternate route is unpaved, narrow, and will have fire-related and mining-related traffic present, so please drive carefully and plan for extra travel time.  

Hot, dry weather is expected to continue through Thursday, when the chance for rain and thunderstorms begins, bringing gusty wind and lightning, as well. The low humidity and high temperatures over the past few days have resulted in active fire behavior, and the lack of wind has translated into lingering smoke and haze. The majority of fire activity is occurring in the area between Pine Creek, Beaver Creek, and Panther Creek Rd, and a finger moving southwest from the FS 300 Rd. The incident meteorologists moved an Incident Remote Weather Station (IRAWS) closer to the Pine Creek area to better monitor local, terrain-driven weather conditions and provide more accurate forecasting for fire managers and firefighters. Yesterday, firefighters took defensive actions to strengthen the 300 Rd line to keep the fire from moving south and east. In the Beaver Creek area, firefighters focused on structure protection efforts and plumbing hose lays and pumps. Helicopters dropped over 34,620 gallons of water in an effort to cool the fire edge, as well. In the “horseshoe”, firefighters strengthened the line along Napoleon Area and continued with structure protection efforts in the Diamond Gulch area. All of these activities will continue again today.

EVACUATIONS: Zone 14 (Salmon River Rd south along Panther Creek Rd to Trail Creek Rd) is now in “Ready” status. Zones 5 and 6 are no longer in an Evacuation Status. Residents in Zone 8 (Squaw Creek to Pine Creek bridge) and Zone 1 (Fairgrounds to Tower Creek west of Highway 93) remain in “SET” status. All other zones are in “READY” status. The latest updates can be found at https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/site-home/urgent-alerts/latest-updates-moose-creek-fire. 

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order remains in effect for the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-506. Salmon River Road is closed to two-way traffic from Spring Creek to Panther Creek. Details and a closure map can be found at https://bit.ly/3BotHEf. Morgan Bar Campground is temporarily closed to public use; see on.doi.gov/3bCSeLx.