More lightning fires spotted on Salmon-Challis Forest

Two forest fires are growing on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

The Elkhorn Fire is now estimated at 46 acres west of Clear Creek and north of Elkhorn Creek. The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber with dead and down trees within the area. It was believed to have started by an August 10 lightning storm.

Although it is burning within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, fire managers decided to suppress the fire due to its proximity to the non-wilderness boundary and other values at risk within the Panther Creek drainage.

4 firefighters, 14 smoke jumpers, 1 single engine air tanker and two helicopters are being used to fight the fire. Another 20 person crew was expected to join the effort Thursday.

Two smaller fires are being managed together as the “Waterfall Complex”. The Waterfall and Stoddard fires were lightning caused and will be permitted to burn in their natural ecological role. A Type 3 incident management team was being assigned to the complex Thursday.

The Waterfall fire was discovered August 11 and is estimated at 10 to 12 acres of open timber and grass. It is located east of the Middle Fork Salmon River and north of Waterfall Creek.

The Stoddard fire, near Stoddard Creek, was detected August 12th and is estimated at 20 acres in size.

Closures Ordered
Because of concerns for the safety of firefighters and the public, four wilderness trails on the North Fork Ranger district have been ordered closed. They include:

• South Fork Waterfall Trail (Forest Trail #6019), beginning at the junction with Waterfall Trail (Forest Trail #6045) to its end.

• Waterfall Trail (Forest Trail #6045), beginning at the junction with Middle Fork River Trail (Forest Trail #6044) to the confluence of the trail and the outlet of Terrace Lakes (where trail crosses headwaters of Waterfall Creek.)

• Stoddard Lake Trail (Forest Trail #6140) beginning at Stoddard Creek Point at the junction with Stoddard Trail (Forest Trail #6169) to its junction with Forest Trail #6168.

• Stoddard Trail (Forest Trail #6169) beginning at the confluence of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and the Salmon River, to its end at the junction with Forest Trail #6168