Single Incident Information

Update as of Nov. 13, 2024: Due to snow and cooler temperatures this fire in now contained and in patrol status.

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Current Status as of Sept. 30 - The Northwest Corner of the Elkhorn Ridge Fire has been active since Sept. 26. There is no impact to the Salmon River Corridor. Lookout observers are updating BNF West Fork District officials.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team started assessments to address the immediate risks to human life and safety, Forest Service property, and critical natural and cultural resources in the post-fire environment.

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Current Status as of Sept. 18: The Elkhorn Ridge and Prospect Fires have received enough precipitation combined with cooler temperatures to slow any perimeter growth. There is interior smoldering. These fires are not currently posing a threat to values. Firefighters are demobilizing equipment off of these fires. 

Current Status as of Sept. 12: The Elkhorn Ridge and Prospect Fires located in the West Fork Ranger District of the Bitterroot National Forest, is 16 miles southwest of Alta in Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness and on the Salmon River (lightning caused). 

Because of the fire's proximity, information is posted on both fires. 

Elkhorn Ridge is currently 3,125 acres and Prospect is 2,934 acres.

Current Status as of Sept. 9: The fire is exhibiting minimal fire activity. There are no updates at this time. 

Current Status as of Sept. 6: No new changes to report.

Elkhorn Ridge is at 3,125 acres and Prospect is at 2,934 acres.

Current Status as of Sept. 3: There has been little growth on the Elkhorn Ridge and Prospect Fires. More info to come.

Current Status as of Sept. 2: The Elkhorn Ridge Fire is currently at 3,125 acres and the Prospect Fire is at 2,934 acres.  Both fires only grew a few acres in the last couple of days.  The Elkhorn Ridge growth was in the interior of the total perimeter.  Prospect grew on the northwest side of the fire.  Minimal fire activity was observed.  Personnel continue to track fire growth and are ready to protect values at risk.

Status as of Aug. 26: After an Infrared flight, the Elkhorn Ridge was sized up to be at 3,047 acres and the Prospect Fire at 2,236 acres.

Current Status as of Aug. 22: The Prospect Fire, west of the Elkhorn Ridge Fire is seeing fire activity moving to the west. These fires are being closely monitored and point protection has already been done on the cabins along the Salmon River. More information to come.

Current Status as of Aug. 21: The Prospect Fire, west of the Elkhorn Ridge Fire, continued to burn between Smith Gulch and Harrington Creek along the Salmon River.  It also continues to burn to the west near Corey Bar.  Protection efforts were successful at River of No Return Lodge and Blackie Foster Cabin yesterday.  The suppression module continues to monitor River of No Return Lodge and Blackie Foster Cabin as the fire around it burns out.  They are mopping up (extinguishing and removing burning material) as needed. The Elkhorn Ridge Fire is burning up drainage on the west side of Dwyer Creek.  The suppression module is ready to take point protection action (protecting specific assets or highly valued resources, such as buildings, from the wildfire) at Lantz Bar if needed.

Current Status as of Aug. 20: After an Infrared reconnaissance flight last night, Elkhorn Ridge was measured at 3,037 acres and the Prospect Fire, to the northwest of Elkhorn, was measured at 1,100 acres. The fires haven't received a lot of precipitation over the last couple of days, however, cooler temperatures and higher humidity decreased fire intensity yesterday.  Fire intensity and spread may increase today with another chance of rain showers forecasted for tomorrow. More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Current Status as of Aug. 19: The Elkhorn Fire has filled in down to the river to the mouth of Dwyer Creek. The Prospect Fire (now at 791 acres) has burned down to the river between Harrington Creek and Smith Gulch. The Prospect Fire also crossed Smith Gulch farther up drainage.  It has crested the ridge and is backing down towards Cory Bar.  Firefighters secured the River of No Return Lodge and Blackie Foster Cabin overnight.  Personnel will continue those efforts as the fire backs down on the west side of Smith Gulch.  Restrictions for campers and boaters are listed below. 

Current Status as of Aug. 16, 2024: The Elkhorn Ridge Fire received light rain yesterday and therefore the fire had minimal growth with light fire activity in the Dwyer Creek area. 

Current Status as of Aug. 15, 2024: There has been no significant fire growth in the last 24 hours.  There was very little smoke in the river corridor this morning.

Current Status as of Aug. 14, 2024:

The fire is approximately 2,050 acres in size and has backed away from the Salmon River. Rain has decreased fire behavior on the #ElkhornRidgeFire located 16 miles SW of Alta in Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness. Firefighters reported this morning that there is minimal smoke along the Salmon River. Significant fire behavior isn't expected to pick up until after this week when drier conditions are forecasted.

Crews are maintaining point protection equipment and monitoring the Elkhorn Ridge and Prospect Ridge Fires by jet boat and lookout positions along the river.

Fires Near the Salmon River – 8/19/2024

Special Instructions for Boaters:

• No camping, recreating (i.e., picnic, bathroom breaks and beach walking) and stopping on river right from Big Squaw Creek Campsite (river mile 17.9) to past Lower Corey Bar Campsite (river mile 19.7). 
• Boaters may camp at Upper and Lower Lantz Bar. You will encounter firefighters, heavy firefighter traffic, and infrastructure such as pumps, generators, etc. associated with the firefighting effort. Please do not impede firefighting operations.

Boater Information:

• Boaters will encounter some areas of smoke.
• Be aware that fire activity has significantly altered the landscape on both sides of the river in this area.
• Be on the lookout for falling rocks, logs and other debris.
• Exercise extreme caution when floating, recreating and camping through the fire area.
• After you launch, please do not impede any firefighting operations including moving out of the way of jetboats carrying firefighting personnel when possible and following instructions from Forest Service personnel.
• As your group passes through the fire area, stay together as a group and keep all the boats in your party in close proximity to each other. 

General Wildfire Information:

Wildfires play an important role in shaping the landscape along the river corridor.  They may also alter your itinerary while on the river. 

What you need to know to be prepared during fire season. 

• Check the fire situation before your launch and heed safety warnings.
• Be prepared to evacuate if fire conditions change.
• Stay clear of active fire suppression activities and crews.
• Expect possible smokey conditions that may impact aircraft and satellite service.
• Access points such as airstrips and roads may be affected.
• Heavy rains on burned areas may create new river hazards and rapids.
• Expect conditions to change in this dynamic ever changing, environment. Wildfires play an important role in shaping the landscape along the river corridor.  They may also alter your itinerary while on the river. 
• If encountering active fire, access an eddy to get to safety, or float through on the opposite side of the river as conditions are continually changing.
• Watch for roll-out; trees that have or are burning may roll into the river or trails, and heat from the fire can displace rocks.
• Helicopters may be working in the area and dipping from various water sources, so keep a watch out.

Current Status as of Aug. 13, 2024:

#ElkhornRidgeFire on the West Fork Ranger District is located 16 miles SW of Alta in Idaho's Frank Church Wilderness (lightning caused) and is estimated at 2,482 acres in size. Since last night, the fire has exhibited minimal activity based off imagery from an Infrared (IR) reconnaissance flight. The area received rain over the past few days which helped cool the fire off.

Another fire called #ProspectRidgeFire was detected 1.10 miles west of the Elkhorn Ridge Fire. It is estimated to be at 200 acres. This fire was showing moderate activity. Because of the fire's proximity to the Elkhorn Ridge Fire, the two fires may grow together. This fire will also have a point protection strategy.

Resources actively working these fires:

- Firefighters put structure protection in place for Lantz Bar and Blackie Foster/River of No Return Lodge.

- Crews are working to put structure protection in place for Arctic Lodge today.

- Personnel will be traveling the river to assess river camps.

- Another reconnaissance flight is scheduled today to get an update on fire perimeter and size.

Status Aug. 12: 

The fire did not grow significantly last night and continues to move to the north, east and west but the fire has not crossed the Salmon River to the south. The fire is showing minimal activity near the river’s edge and is primarily growing to the north, away from the river. The western edge of the fire has moved onto Thirsty Ridge and the eastern edge is packing down into Dwyer Creek. Structure protection is in place for Lantz Bar, and Blacky Forest Cabin/River of No Return Lodge. Another request is in for a mapping flight to place tonight. Today, firefighters will set up structure protection at Artic Creek Lodge located in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Future updates on the fire size and perimeter will be provided as resources are available.