Fires active on the Salmon-Challis National Forest
Update7-4-2016 12:30 pm: The USDA has provided an update on the status of three fires buring in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
The USDA says the 3-Mile fire is now reported at 10 acres and is 15% contained. Six smokejumpers and two 20 person crews are working to contain the fire. The fire was reduced in size due to more accurate mapping.
Two other fires are burning in the region at Golden Trout Lake and Rattlesnake Creek.
The fire at Golden Trout Lake is about 30 acres with 25% containment.16 smokejumpers, two Type I crews, a Type II crew, and two Type I Helicopters are currently fighting the fire and two more crews will be joining them.
The fire at Rattlesnake is around 15 to 20 acres and is being allowed to burn itself out at this point but is being monitored by the USDA.
Original story: Lightning strikes from several thunderstorms started several fires on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Friday afternoon.
The 3-Mile fire was reported at 15 acres Sunday. It is burning east of Anderson Mountain and north of Dahlongega Creek in subalpine fir with many dead and down trees. Eight firefighters, eight smokejumpers, two 20-person crews, an air attack and two lookouts are involved in fighting the fire. Two Type I helicopters are also being deployed. Access to the fire is limited.
24 smokejumpers and Type I crew are battling the Golden Trout Lake fire, which is burning within and outside of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The fire was estimated at 30 acres. Two additional helicopter teams were ordered to help fight the fire.
Two smaller, lighting-caused fires, the Millick Gulch and Geertson fires were contained at one tenth of an acre.
The forest is monitoring two other fires within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The Rattlesnake fire was estimated at 15 to 20 acres Sunday north of Rattlesnake Creek and south of Woolard Creek. The fire is lightning caused and will be permitted to burn, as nearly as possible, to its natural ecological role in the wilderness.
The Mahoney fire is also being monitored about 1.5 miles north of Mahoney Airstrip.
There are several fire crews, helicopters, and associated support staff in the community of Salmon.
No fireworks of any kind are permitted on national forests year-round. Fire danger on the Salmon-Challis National Forest is rated as “High” this week.
