Single Incident Information

This Inciweb page is intended to provide a summary of wildfire incidents taking place in the Payette National Forest's part of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  Specific fires that are of a large size or a threatening values at risk will have individual Inciweb pages in addition to this summary page - links to those individual Inciweb pages are provided below.

There is a misconception that all wildfires within a wilderness area are what some people term as "let burn" fires.  The Forest Service does not have a policy termed as "let burn," and in fact all wildfires whether within a wilderness or outside a wilderness are evaluated by looking at the values at risk, burning indices, and firefighter and public safety to determine the specific strategies that will be taken on every wildfire.

A Forest may utilize all the wildfire tools available when taking actions for an unplanned ignition whether lightning caused, or human caused – there is no one right answer nor requirement for every wildfire to be addressed in a given way as every fire is different and needs to be addressed based on the characteristic of that fire and the values at risk.  We use all available tools and technologies to ensure proactive fire detection, risk assessments, fire response, and post-fire recovery. Every wildfire receives a risk-informed response with effective strategies at the local level.

Standard wildfire strategies are Suppression, Containment/Confinement, Zone-Point Protection and Monitor.  Any combination of these strategies can be and typically are use on every wildfire incident whether within or outside a wilderness area.

Our goal for managing wildfire in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is: 

• Lightning caused fires will be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological role within the Wilderness, if risks and consequences of the wildfire can be reduced to an acceptable level. 

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Incident Management Operating Plan outlines processes and procedures for addressing wildfire is the Wilderness.

The Forest Service Manual and the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Management Plan directs us to “Conduct all fire management activities within wilderness in a manner compatible with overall wilderness management objectives.” We strive to use tactics and equipment that causes the least disturbance to wilderness landscapes and visitor solitude and locate fire camps, heli-spots, and other temporary facilities or improvements outside of the wilderness, whenever feasible. We rehabilitate disturbed areas within wilderness to as natural an appearance as possible.

Active Wildfires within the Payette’s part of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area.

Two new fires have been detected as a result of the September 2nd thunderstorms that passed over the area.  

• The Copper Fire:  Detected of September 3 and at 1/2 acre.
• The Coxie Hole Fire:  Detected on September 3 and at 1 acre.

Existing wildfires in the Wilderness:

• Burnt Creek Fire:  Fire is at 2,497 acres as of September 2 and is actively burning to the northwest and to the northeast.  It is burning above Big Ck in the no-name drainage west of Snake Creek but has not showed a lot of remote sensing activity there in the last 2 days. It is also burning high on the ridge above the Middle Fork above the Cutthroat Cove area.  The fire was detected on August 13 and is located in Burnt Creek within the Big Creek drainage and has reached the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.  The fire burned down to Big Creek, then east through Breeching Creek, then to the Middle Fork.  Structure protection measures have been completed at Taylor Ranch, all area bridges and the Middle Fork Pack Bridge.  Firefighters are working to clear the Big Creek trail of burning materials.  No area or trail closure is in effect for this fire – people recreating in this area need to be alert for fire related hazards.  This fire is within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  A Zone/Point Protection Strategy is being used on this fire and a structure protection plan for values at risk in the area has been implemented. 

  Fire information phone number:  208-634-0820.  For any concerns regarding to rafting along the Middle Fork Salmon River, call the Salmon-Challis National Forest River Desk at 208-481-2625.  Idpaf Burnt Creek Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)

• Parks Fire: The fire is at 3850 acres as of September 2 and is actively burning on the west flank of the fire and in Mule Creek.  It is approaching the Highline Fire burned area, so we expect fire behavior to moderate if it reaches that area. It is also actively burning to the west along the Salmon River.  Located and on the west side of lower Chamberlain Creek down to the Salmon River, and up to Mule Creek Point ridge, then southwest into Mule Creek.  Structure protection measures have been completed at Artic Point Lookout by wrapping the facility, and at the Chamberlain Creek Bridge by removing brush and other fuels around this metal bridge.  No area or trail closures are in place for this fire - people recreating in this area need to be alert for fire related hazards.  This fire is within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  This fire is using a Zone/Point protection strategy while allowing this lightning caused to play, as nearly as possible, its natural ecological role within the Wilderness.

  Fire information phone number: 208-634-0820.  For any concerns regarding rafting along the Salmon River, call the Salmon-Challis National Forest River Desk at 208-481-2625.  Idpaf Parks Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)

• Farrow Fire: The fire is estimated at 900 acres as of September 2 – moderate fire behavior is taking place with slow growth in the southwest area of the fire.   Located approximately 5.5 miles E-SE of Cold Meadows Guard Station.  This lightning caused fire is being permitted to play, as nearly as possible, its natural ecological role within the Wilderness. Zone/Point Protection measures will be taken if necessary and is being monitored by air.  No area or trail closures are in place for this fire - people recreating in this area need to be alert for fire related hazards. 

  Fire information phone number:  208-634-0820  Idpaf Farrow Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)