Salmon-Challis National Forest reports 7 new fires

SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - The Salmon-Challis National Forest has had seven new lightning fires in the last week. 

Duck Fire (August 21): The lightning fire, located approximately three miles southwest of Yellowjacket Guard Station on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District was estimated at 0.10 acres. Four firefighters suppressed the fire burning in Douglas Fir. The fire is out. 

Mayfield Fire (August 21): The lightning fire, located approximately 22 miles northeast of Stanley on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness was estimated at 0.10 acres. Two firefighters suppressed the single-tree and grass fire. The fire is out. 

Camp Creek Fire (August 20): The lightning fire, located approximately six miles southwest of Yellowjacket Guard Station on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District was estimated at 0.10 acres. Two firefighters suppressed the fire burning in Douglas fir. The fire is out.

Silver Fire (August 19): The lightning fire, located approximately ten miles southwest of Cobalt on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District was estimated at 0.10 acres. An engine and a handcrew squad suppressed the fire burning in grass and Ponderosa pine. The fire is out. 

Hoodoo Fire (August 19): The lightning fire, located approximately five miles west of Yellowjacket Guard Station on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness was estimated at 0.10 acres. Two firefighters suppressed the fire burning in Douglas fir. The fire is out. 

Siah Fire (August 17): The lightning fire, located approximately six miles northwest of Indian Creek Guard Station on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, remains estimated at 11 acres. The fire is burning in grass, brush, and fir. Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Siah Fire. The fire is surrounded on three sides by the Kiwah Fire from 2018 as well as the Little Pistol Fire from 2000 across Indian Creek from the fire. Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Fire Managers are assessing the fire by air.

Wilson Fire (August 15): The lightning fire, located approximately four (4) miles southwest of Yellowjacket Campground on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, is estimated at four (4) acres. Precipitation was observed over the fire area. The fire is burning in grass, brush, fir, and downed timber. Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Wilson Fire. Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Fire Managers are assessing the fire by air.

Petes Fire (August 14): The lightning fire, located approximately one mile east of Moyer on the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District, is estimated at nine acres. The fire is burning in Douglas fir and lodgepole pine and is 100% contained and controlled.

Norton (August 1): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8308/.

Moose (July 17): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/.

Woodtick (July 14): The fire is being updated separately and can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8253/.

Wolf Fang Fire (July 13): The lightning fire is located approximately four (4) miles northeast of the confluence of Big Creek and the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness on the North Fork Ranger District. The 1,493 acre fire burning in spruce and fir is located in steep, rugged terrain. On the north side of the fire, fire continues to move down the unnamed tributary to Ship Island Creek with fire on both sides of the drainage. The fire has crossed the same unnamed tributary to Ship Island Creek, moving east towards Aggipah Mountain. Precipitation has been observed over the fire area. Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Wolf Fang Fire. Due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and snag hazards, Middle Fork Peak lookout, a remote camera, and aviation are assessing the fire daily.

To date, there have been 30 wildfires reported on the Salmon-Challis National Forest. 

The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the VERY HIGH fire danger for the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management in east-central Idaho are in Stage 1 fire restrictions. Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to federal, state, state endowment, private forestland and rangelands within the designated area. One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.

Nationally, there are 22 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 31 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.