Cove Creek fire prompts emergency order

The lightning caused “Cove Creek” fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest has now grown to 1,704 acres about 23 miles southwest of North Fork.

The fire is burning in the scar of the 2012 Mustang Complex. On Sunday, it burned down to the Salmon River Road on both sides of the Owl Creek drainage. A national fire fighting team, Great Basin Team 7, is expected to take over the fire Monday afternoon.

Crews are working to protect private property at Owl Creek. Aircraft will be used when possible to minimize growth of the fire.

The Salmon-Challis Forest has implemented an emergency closure in the area.

There are no fire restrictions in place, but fire danger is now reported as “very high” in the central Idaho dispatch area.