Special Statement:
Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory for Lemhi County until 3 pm on Monday.

Fire:
The Moose River Fire is at 35,739 acres, having burned 3409 acres in the past 24 hours. Fire activity between Stormy Peak and Point of Rock will continue to move southeast towards Moose Creek. The backing fire along HWY 93 from Napolean Ridge to Bobcat will continue to be visible as crews secure the eastern perimeter along the river.

Smoke:
Today, expect areas of reduced visibility and unhealthy for sensitive groups along the valley floor near Carmen. As upslope winds and sunshine begin to heat the canyon, this smoke will lift out and move towards Dillon. Light to moderate westerly winds will continue to transport today's smoke out the Lemhi Valley to the east. Very visible smoke plumes will occur again today as the fire moves into thick forested areas.

Roadway Visibility:
There will be reduced visibility on US-93 from Carmen to Salmon, especially at night and into the early morning hours. The North Fork River Road has restricted access.

Moose Fire Daily Update 

Fire Information: 208-742-6690 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Email: 2022.moose@firenet.gov 

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

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/ 
 
35,739 acres, 7% contained, cause undetermined. West of North Fork, ID. Grass, brush and timber fuels. 

Yesterday, wildland fire crews made excellent progress in beginning to show containment of the fire in the north in the Whiskey Spring area where 7% containment was achieved.  Crews continued to conduct Point Protection along the Highway 93 corridor as fire continued to spread down to the river in the vicinity of Bobcat Gulch and farther south to Napoleon Gulch due to increased fire behavior cause by the outflow winds from a storm cell that passed to the north of the fire.  In the southeast area of the fire, crews continued to secure fire line to provide protection to structures throughout the Moose Creek area.  Fire on the southwest portion of the fire spread uphill to Stormy Peak along Pine Creek Ridge. Equipment for Heavy Equipment Task Forces arrived and prepared to construct a control line south of the fire from Morning Glory to Leesburg west to Panther Creek and out to the confluence of Panther Creek and the Salmon River. 

Today, firefighters on the north and northeastern perimeter of the fire will continue to secure line from Ulysses Mountain to the southeast towards the Salmon River to prevent spread toward North Fork from the north, while continuing point protection along Highway 93. Work on the southeast portion of the fire will continue with structure prep along Highway 93 south toward the Salmon community while fire managers take opportunities to square off the fire’s edge as it progresses.  On the west side of the fire in the Salmon River corridor, crews continue to work to prevent fire spread further to the west.  With the fire being the number one priority in the country for airtanker support, and if necessary, airtankers will be used to assist ground-based firefighters in curbing the spread of the fire in critical areas that contain high values at risk. 

A pilot car will continue escorting traffic along the Salmon River Road (NSFR #030) from Highway 93 at North Fork through the active fire zone.  Outfitters and Guides, as well as private citizens who have a Forest Service permit are allowed to utilize the pilot car system – the river corridor is closed to all other traffic.  Alternative route: Williams Creek Road (021) to Deep Creek (101) and north at Panther Creek (055.) Stay on the most traveled roadway. This route is long and unpaved, and drivers should be prepared for heavy mining and recreation traffic, including semi-trucks and vehicles with trailers. 

WEATHER: A weak disturbance brought north winds and increased clouds to the fire. A rain shower passed north of the fire and the clouds kept humidity higher and temperatures a bit cooler. The outflow winds of the disturbance increased the fires growth to the south and east. Today will see fewer clouds but higher humidity with an inversion will holding smoke in during the morning with partial lifting in the afternoon that will cause temperatures to be a bit warmer with slope and valley winds following usual patterns. 

EVACUATIONS:  The Lemhi County Sheriff has placed Zone 2 (residents on the west side of Highway 93 from Tower Creek to North Fork) in a “GO” evacuation status. The latest updates from the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office can be found at https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/site-home/urgent-alerts/latest-updates-moose-creek-fire.  The fire remains very activity and all residents in proximity of the fire should follow the Ready!Set!Go! guidance. 

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:  The Salmon‐Challis National Forest has implemented the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐22‐503.  Details and a map for this closure can be found at https://bit.ly/3crDrDe. 

A community open house will be held for the Moose Creek Fire at the Gibbonsville Improvement Association Building (old school house), Wednesday, July 27, 4:00p.m. to 6:00p.m. 

TOTAL FIRE RESOURCES ASSIGNED: 789 personnel, 23 hand crews, 35 engines; helicopters: three type 1, two type 2, three 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. 

Special Statement
Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory until Monday for Lemhi County. Satellite imagery shows smoke from the Moose Fire extending to Yellowstone.

Fire
The Moose River Fire is at 32,330 acres, having burned 3491 acres in the past 24 hours. New fire activity is expected to the east of Napoleon Ridge towards US 93, south towards Moose Creek Rd, and along Pine Ridge.

Smoke
Smoke behavior has changed compared to Friday with two different smoke patterns. First, smoke from the higher elevation and more active heat sources will rise and move east above the Salmon River towards Dillon. Second, smoke from smoldering and lower elevation fires is pooling in the Salmon River and Lemhi Valleys, resulting in unhealthy air quality. Pooling of smoke in the Salmon River Valley is expected to persist until there is a change in the high pressure weather pattern.

ROADWAY VISIBILITY
Reduced visibility on US-93 from North Fork to Carmen, especially at night and into the early morning hours. The North Fork River Road has restricted access.

Moose Fire Daily Update 

Special Statement Idaho's Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory until Monday for Lemhi County.

Fire The Moose River Fire is at 28,839 acres, having burned 5219 acres in the past 24 hours (compared to 2972 acres in the previous 24 hrs).

New fire activity is expected to the east of Napoleon Ridge towards US 93, south towards Moose Creek Rd, and continuing downstream along the N Fork of the Salmon River. With calmer winds, fire activity should be less during the next few days compared to Friday. Smoke The heavy blanket of smoke from Friday's very active fire day will slowly lift after sunrise in the river valley between Indianola, North Fork, and Carmen. Calmer winds into the weekend will reduce dispersion, resulting in increased ground-level smoke at times.
ROADWAY VISIBILITY Expect reduced visibility on US-93 from North Fork to Carmen between midnight and noon. The North Fork River Road has restricted access  

The Salmon‐Challis National Forest has implemented the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order Number: 04-13-22-503   

Description of Closed Area, Roads, and Trails 04-13-22-503: 

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) #002 Leesberg Stage Road, then following NFSR #002 Leesberg Stage Road to NFSR #272 Sharkey Creek Road, then following NFSR #272 Sharkey Creek Road to to NFSR #242 Leesberg Road, the following NFSR #242 Leesberg Road to NFSR #076 Moccasin/Napias Creek Road, then following NFSR #076 Moccasin/Napias 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 to National Forest System Trail (NFST) #6152 Owl Creek Trail, then following NFST #6152 Owl Creek Trail to NFSR #123 Colson Creek-State Line Road, then following NFSR #123 Colson Creek-State Line Road to NFSR #038 Spring Creek Road, then following NFSR #038 Spring Creek Road to NFSR #310 Bluenose Lookout Road, then following NFSR #310 Bluenose Lookout Road to the Salmon-Challis National Forest Boundary, then following the Salmon-Challis National Forest Boundary to its junction with U.S. Highway 93, then following U.S. Highway 93 south to the point of origin at the junction of the Salmon?Challis National Forest boundary and NFSR #002 Stormy Peak Road.

July 23, 2022

Moose Fire Daily Update 
Fire Information: 208-742-6690 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Email: 2022.moose@firenet.gov
Salmon Challis National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salmonchallisnf

28,839 acres, 0% contained, cause undetermined. About 5 miles southwest of North Fork, ID. Grass, brush and timber fuel types. 

There will be a VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING TONIGHT AT 5:00 P.M. on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/salmonchallisnf or through a Teams Meeting at https://bit.ly/3Oux67v. 

Yesterday’s Red Flag weather conditions increased fire activity along the top of Napoleon Ridge. Firefighters patrolled the Highway 93 corridor to seek and extinguish spot fires. North of the Salmon River, firefighters succeeded in holding line built during the last several days. Last night, the fire continued burning actively, spreading west as far as Kayak Camp and reaching the west bank of the Salmon River in the North Fork area.

Today firefighters will continue holding and improving line around the north end of the fire. Structure protection will continue along Salmon River Road and Highway 93.  On the southeast side of the fire, crews and heavy equipment will work on building an indirect line along Diamond Creek Road from the Highway 93 corridor up into Five Corners.

A pilot car will continue escorting traffic along the Salmon River Road (NSFR #030) between Highway 93 at North Fork and the Boy Scout Camp, 1.5 miles west of Indianola Guard Station, as long as it is safe. There is also a suggested alternative route: Williams Creek Road (021) to Deep Creek (101) and north at Panther Creek (055.) Stay on the most traveled roadway. This route is long and unpaved, and drivers should be prepared for heavy mining and recreation traffic, including semi-trucks and vehicles with trailers.

WEATHER: Conditions are expected to moderate today with quieter winds, although it will still be hot and dry for several days.

EVACUATIONS:  The Lemhi County Sheriff has placed Zone 2 (residents on the west side of Highway 93 from Tower Creek to North Fork) in a “GO” evacuation status. The latest updates from the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office can be found at https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/site-home/urgent-alerts/latest-updates-moose-creek-fire.

The fire remains very activity and all residents in proximity of the fire should follow the Ready!Set!Go! guidance.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:  The Salmon‐Challis National Forest has implemented the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐22‐502.  Details and a map for this closure can be found at https://bit.ly/3yQLW2m. 

TOTAL FIRE RESOURCES ASSIGNED: 690 personnel, 19 hand crews, 39 engines; helicopters: four type 1, two type 2, two 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. 

The Incident Command Team for the Moose Fire will be holding a community meeting through Facebook Live and a Microsoft Teams Meeting from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday, July 23.  Presenters will cover current fire status as well as plans for continued fire suppression.  Use the links below to find a link to join the meeting.  You don’t need a Facebook account to use the Facebook Live or Teams Meeting link and join the meeting.

Due to increased fire activity, the Lemhi County Sheriff has announced that all Residents from Tower Creek to North Fork are in GO status, which means immediate evacuation is necessary. All residents from North Fork to Hughes Creek are now in SET status, meaning they should prepare for the possibility of evacuation. Salmon River Road is currently closed, so the pilot car is no longer running. 

Special Statement
 RED FLAG over the fire area today for high winds and low relative humidity.

Fire
Flanking and backing fire activity between Indianola and Little Boulder Creek will continue to make short duration uphill runs when winds and slope align. Hot, windy, dry air will move into the area in the early afternoon along with gusty winds. Winds will change directions this evening, challenging containment boundaries along the North Fork Salmon river.

Smoke
The limited overnight smoke blanket will lift in the early afternoon. Fire activity between Indianola and Little Boulder Creek will continue to produce visible columns. Low humidity followed by 30mph winds will surface in the late afternoon supporting large fire growth into the evening. Resulting smoke will settle into the Salmon Valley, Lehmi Valley, Beaverhead range, and Pioneer mountains late Friday evening. Saturday morning, expect any overnight pooling of smoke to remain into the late afternoon.