Salmon‐Challis National Forest Fact Sheet Media Contact: Amy Baumer (Public Affairs Officer); 208‐756‐7853 Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/ : @salmonchallisnf Facebook: @salmonchallisnf

BOUNDARY FIRE UPDATE SEPTEMBER 06, 2021 The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger On InciWeb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7795/ Date of Detection: August 10, 2021 Current Size: 26,589 acres Completion: 20% (completion speaks to the percentage of objectives completed) Location: 2 miles west of Boundary Creek Boat Launch; Middle Fork Ranger District; Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Cause: Lightning/Natural Fuels: subalpine fir, spruce, Douglas fir, and lodgepole pine. Resources on Fire: 73

Type II Type I Engines Crew Helicopter 1 1 4

Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority for the Boundary Fire. Yesterday, the fire was active with group torching, short‐range spotting, and uphill runs. The fire grew to the northwest towards Morehead Lookout and was backing and flanking in Blue Moon Creek. The fire moved towards Blue Bunch Mountain up Dagger Creek, impacts to the Boundary Creek Road (#568) continue. The Boundary Creek Road is currently inaccessible due to downed trees, firefighters cleared about ¼ mile of the road yesterday. Crews continue mop up of the fire near Morgan Ranch and are working near Sulphur Creek Ranch improving and implementing point protection strategies. Additional supplies were delivered on the east side of the fire and firefighters were able to continue with point protection measures.

Today, firefighters will continue to evaluate the fire’s progression, will hold and improve point protection measures, and monitor growth towards values in and near the fire area. Firefighters will work to clear the Boundary Creek Road when it is safe to do so. A point protection strategy is being used to protect values at risk. Values at risk are defined as property, structures, physical improvements, natural and cultural resources, community infrastructure, and economic, environmental, and social values such as the Middle Fork River corridor.

Smoke is drifting into the area from fires in and Oregon. Smoke from the Boundary Fire will remain visible from the community of Stanley and the surrounding area if the drift smoke from other fires to the west disperses.

WEATHER: ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 9 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY… Dry air will continue through mid‐week. Breezy winds this afternoon will produce dangerous fire conditions. Expect lighter winds for Tuesday with breezy conditions possible again Wednesday.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: The Salmon‐Challis National Forest has expanded the Boundary Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure, Order #04‐13‐21‐015. The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety from the effects of the Boundary Fire. Fire managers are asking the public to please stay out of the closure area. For a description of the closure area and map please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7795/65480/. Fire managers continue to assess closures on a daily basis. Float boaters with a Middle Fork of the Salmon launch permit can contact 208‐879‐4108 for more information.

The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the HIGH fire danger for the Salmon‐Challis National Forest. Ensure your campfire is dead out. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave! One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.

Nationally, there are 59 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 49 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression. Information on wildfire smoke can be found at http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/ and https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/air/AQIPublic/Forecast and select Idaho Falls Region, Salmon is located in the dropdown menu.

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow Us’ on Twitter @salmonchallisnf.

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