Moose Fire emergency area, road and trail closure reduced
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - UPDATE: Effective October 7, 2022 at 12:01 am, the Salmon‐Challis National Forest has reduced the Moose Fire Emergency Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐22‐513. The new description of the closure is as follows:
DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS, AND TRAILS:
All NFS lands on the North Fork and Salmon-Cobalt Ranger Districts of the Salmon-Challis National Forest in the area bounded at the junction of the Salmon-Challis National Forest boundary and starting at Forest Service boundary and NFSR #Trail 075, West on Trail # 075 to the intersection of NFSR #026 then on FS #026 north to intersection with NFSR #020 Ridge Road. Then following NFSR #020 (Ridge Road) north to the intersection of NFSR #020 and NFSR #272, and the powerline. Then west following the powerline to the intersection with NFSR #007, then west on NFSR #007 to the intersection with NFSR #300. Then following NFSR #300 North to the intersection with NFSR #023 Moose Creek Road. Then North on NFSR #023 Moose Creek Road to its intersection with NFSR #65078 road. North on NFSR #65078 to intersection with Trail #049. Then East on Trail #049 to NFSR #60712. Continue East on NFSR #60712 to intersection of NFSR #020 Ridge Road and NFSR #129 Diamond Creek Road. Then following NFSR #129 Diamond Creek Road east to its intersection with the National Forest Boundary. Follow the National Forest Boundary south to the point of origin at the junction of National Forest Boundary and FS Trail #075.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety from the effects of the Moose Fire.
This Order will be in effect from Oct. 7 and shall remain in effect until rescinded.
ORIGINAL: The human caused Moose Fire burning west and south of North Fork has burned 130,120 acres and is 80% contained.
The fire started on July 17, 2022 at approximately 4:00 pm. and is located in the Salmon River mountains, 17 miles north of Salmon, Idaho. A mix of federal and private land is impacted. The terrain is difficult, and the fire is burning in grass, shrubs and timber. The fire was caused by an unextinguished unattended campfire.
Crews continue to work on repair projects in coordination with National Forest resource advisors. This work helps return damaged areas to a more stable condition. Resources are being shifted to focus on the uncontained portion of the fire. Hose was removed near cabins in the Moose Creek area. Crews continue to work on the Chips Creek to Spring Creek area. Road repairs using graders and water tenders are working on the Old Leesburg Road south towards Gorley Creek.
Great Basin Incident Management Team 7, led by Incident Commander Mike Johnston, took operational control of the Moose Fire at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night.
“Team 7 is looking forward to serving the Lemhi County, the Salmon-Challis National Forest and public land users,” Johnston said. “We recognize hunting season is starting soon and we are looking at the closure area daily.”
The Salmon-Challis National Forest has a road and area closure in place to protect public safety and responders still working on this incident.
