Fire Burns Truck Near Salmon

No firefighters were injured when a fast moving fire burned a semi-truck and trailer on Monday.

Fire managers for the Salmon-Challis National Forest said the Salt Fire made an estimated 3-mile run burning the dozer transport in its path.

Bob Summer, the incident commander, said they heard one firefighter had to pull out his fire shelter. He also said everyone made their way to designated safety zone.

Forest Service officials have begun an investigation, Frank Guzman, Forest Supervisor of the Salmon-Challis National Forest said.

The Salt Fire?s run was visible for much of the afternoon from Salmon, with large smoke columns rising high into the air throughout the afternoon.

Earlier Monday, officials estimated the fire had burned 1,635 acres, and that it was five percent contained. They will be assessing how much more acreage burned on Monday afternoon.

There are 297 firefighters and support workers engaged on the Salt fire. They have three helicopters, 10 engines, eight water tenders, and six bulldozers.

The Salt Fire started on August 25 from a lightning strike. It?s burning in a forest with many dead standing and fallen trees, killed by beetle infestations.

Fire behavior specialists with the Salt fire said that while there?s no drought in the area, the beetle-killed trees are very dry and burning just as if were in a drought.