SALMON, Idaho — The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone has moved to Extreme Fire Danger, officials with the Salmon-Challis National Forest announced on Tuesday, July 26. People on camping, hiking or off-roading trips are urged to be mindful about actions that could cause a wildfire.
The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone includes portions of Custer County north and east of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area excluding the Frank Church River of No Return and Jim McClure-Jerry Peak wilderness areas. It also includes Lemhi County. The portion of Lemhi County that's not on federal land designated as wilderness is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.
At least two large wildfires are burning in that area: the Moose Fire southwest of North Fork and the Woodtick Fire west of Challis.
In Extreme fire danger, fires start and spread quickly and burn with high intensity; small fires can quickly become large and difficult to control.
Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following are prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on your own land, and only within an owner-provided fire structure. Campfires are allowed only in sites with metal/concrete fire pits.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or designated recreation site, or while stopped within an area at least 3 feet in diameter that's barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Salmon-Challis N.F. public affairs officer Amy Baumer advises that it's your job and responsibility to maintain and extinguish all campfires. Also:
- Never leave a campfire unattended. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Add water, stir the ashes and make sure all embers are out.
- Use a campfire ring or fire pan when building a campfire.
- Recreational shooting: Never shoot into dry vegetation and always make sure you're shooting in a safe location. The use of exploding targets is not allowed on National Forest System lands in Idaho.
- Refrain from smoking in wooded, grassy or brushy areas. Make sure your cigarette is fully out before leaving the area.
- Fireworks are illegal on public lands. That includes every forest and every campsite.
- Make sure your vehicle is maintained and there's nothing dragging on the ground. A loose safety chain or dangling muffler can send sparks into dry vegetation. Keep vehicles off dry grass.
- Always carry a shovel and fire extinguisher.
- Check with your local ranger station before heading out on your trip to get the most up-to-date information on fire danger and fire restrictions. Current conditions on the Salmon-Challis National Forest are also listed here.
- Unmanned aircraft -- drones -- should not be flown near or around wildfires. (More information about the use of unmanned aircraft on National Forest System lands.)
Anyone who starts a wildfire, even by accident, may be held liable for damages and the cost of fighting the fire.
To report a wildfire, call Central Idaho Dispatch Center at 208-756-5157 or 911 as soon as possible.
To report a wildfire in southwest Idaho, call 208-384-3400. In South Central Idaho, call 208-886-2373.
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