Moose Fire grows to 94,740 acres, 36% contained
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - The human caused Moose Fire burning west and south of North Fork has burned 94,740 acres and is 36% contained.
The Salmon River Road will be open to through traffic Monday from 6:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. There may be a prompt 1:00 p.m. closure if weather conditions are favorable to allow firefighters to begin tactical firing operations at that time. Front-end loaders will continue to clear debris off of Salmon River Road. Panther Creek Road may be closed after 1:00 p.m. for tactical firing operations and would reopen as soon as conditions allow.
A decision to reopen these roads or keep them closed the following day will be made this evening after assessing the safety situation. Officials ask extreme caution is used when traveling these roads in order to maintain public and firefighter safety.
There is a red flag warning in effect from 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday. Today’s red flag warning is due to thunderstorm potential with possible outflow winds and little to no precipitation forecasted. An Unmanned Aviation System (UAS) was used yesterday to check for hotspots in the Moose Creek Estates and Arnett Creek areas, and none were found. The fire does not appear to be currently moving south toward the 300 road. The UAS may be utilized tomorrow for tactical firing operations in the Salmon River and Panther Creek areas if conditions allow. Night operations currently consist of 2 task forces of engines whose primary duties are monitoring the fire and mitigating hazards during the night.
EVACUATIONS
Zone 15 has been added to “READY” status. Residents in Zone 1 and Zone 8 remain in “SET” status. All other zones are in “READY” status. Click here for the latest updates.
CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS
A Salmon-Challis National Forest closure order remains in effect for the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04-13-22-507.
Air Quality
Most of the Lemhi Valley has ‘Good’ air quality this morning. As the day progresses, we will see periods of increasing smoke and ‘Moderate/USG’ air quality in the afternoon and evening in Salmon and Carmen, similar to yesterday. North Fork will be mostly ‘Good’ with periods of ‘Moderate’. Cobalt and Elk
Bend will remain ‘Good’ today.
Fire Restrictions
Stage 1 Fire restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, BLM, and State of Idaho lands in Custer and Lemhi Counties, excluding wilderness areas.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR)
There is a flight restriction over the fire area and drones are also prohibited. Thank you for respecting the TFR. If you fly, we can’t fly. https://tfr.faa.gov/
