A clear sky. Low 71F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

A clear sky. Low 71F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.

Moose Creek Fire: Fire backing down a hill 

Moose Creek Fire: Fire backing down a hill 

SALMON - The Moose Fire is burning in the Salmon-Challis National Forest about 17 miles north of Salmon, Idaho. The fire is currently 45, 113 acres in size and is at 17% containment. The forest service has assigned 934 personnel to fight the fire. 

The blaze originally started on July 17, 2022; the fire was determined to be human caused. The specific cause and events leading up to the fire are still under investigation, and further information will be provided as the inquiry unfolds.

Thunderstorms passed over the fire area Friday July 29th and brought increased fire activity, but fortunately fire spread in critical areas of the fire was kept to a minimum. 

The properties at risk from fire spread include residences, energy infrastructure, the Salmon municipal watershed, mining operations, heritage resources, fisheries, livestock grazing allotments, and a variety of recreational opportunities, particularly river rafting. Firefighters continue to employ point protection strategies for resources at risk, hold the fire within containment lines. 

Friday, along the Highway 93 corridor firefighters continued to reinforce containment lines in the Diamond Creek drainage and completed a 6-mile hose lay that will assist firefighters in holding actions if the fire continues to move south. Fire activity continued in the late evening in Bobcat Gulch and in Comet Gulch. On the western side of the fire, the fire burned around the Shoup store and to the base of Pine Creek. Structure protection measures prevented the loss of buildings in the Shoup area. Growth of the fire was farther up the Pine Creek drainage as the fire continued to move to the southeast.

The focus for today’s efforts continues to be concentrated on structure protection along Highway 93 and a concerted effort in Diamond Creek (referred to as the Diamond Line), as the primary holding line to prevent the fire from moving farther south. Burning out of fuels along the Diamond Line may be necessary if the fire continues in a southern direction. On the western edge, where fire has met the 2000 Clear Creek Fire, firefighters are working up the Panther Creek Drainage to reinforce containment lines that were improved during the Mud Lick Fire last year. Farther to the south, firefighters are continuing to improve holding lines along the Williams Creek Road. Today’s fire weather does not bring thunderstorms over the area, but hot and dry conditions will continue making fuels more susceptible to active burning conditions.

The fire is currently being managed by Great Basin Team 2, a Type 1 incident management team. Great Basin Team 1 is mobilizing and expected to take over management of the fire on Wednesday, August 3 at 6:00 a.m.

The Pilot Car System on Salmon River Road is scheduled to run as normal, but with potential for temporary delays. The pilot car system is for residents, river permit holders and river shuttles. The road is closed to all other traffic. Alternative route: Williams Creek Rd (021) to Deep Creek Rd (101), then north on Panther Creek Rd (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.

EVACUATIONS: The Lemhi County Sheriff has placed Zone 2 (both sides of Highway 93 from Tower Creek to North Fork) in “GO” evacuation status. Zones 7 & 8 (Squaw Creek to Pine Creek on the Salmon River Rd) and Zone 1 (Tower Creek to Carmen, west of Salmon River) are at "SET" status. All other zones are in “Ready” status. The latest updates from the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office can be found at https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/.../latest-updates-moose... . The fire remains very active 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 #04‐13‐22‐505. Details and a closure map can be found at https://bit.ly/3BotHEf . Stage 1 Fire restrictions are in effect in East Central Idaho on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, BLM and State of Idaho lands in Custer and Lemhi Counties, excluding wilderness area. Please be aware that there is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. Recreational drones are not allowed in the TFR. 

Clear skies. Low 69F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

Clear skies. Low 69F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.

Sunny. High 109F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.

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