MCCALL – The Elkhorn Fire is currently at 25,966 acres with 40% complete. Crews are making good progress with mechanical line toward the Magruder Corridor. Crews were placed back into Lantz Bar yesterday and are implementing structure protection by installing water systems and wrapping Forest Service infrastructure and facilities in Arctic Lodge and The River of No Return area. This area will be unstaffed beginning today, although Fire Managers will continue to monitor the fire behavior and restaff as needed to protect structures.
Hot and dry conditions will continue for the next several days as a ridge of high pressure passes over the Pacific Northwest. Triple digits are expected by Tuesday along with afternoon humidity values of 10 to 20 percent. Northeast winds throughout the fire area will filter into the Salmon River drainage while bringing down drainage flow to the lower elevations. By Monday, winds will shift back to the west and southwest. The daily air quality reports will be available through the Elkhorn Fire information page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/idpaf-elkhorn-fire.
Communication continues with the boaters entering the river at Corn Creek and again at Hancock Rapids before entering the fire footprint along the river corridor.
The U.S. Forest Service Nez Perce-Clearwater and Payette National Forests issued the Elkhorn fire area, roads, and trails closure order #01-17-05-23-003, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices/?aid=82169. The closure area spans both sides of the Salmon River but excludes the Salmon River Wild and Scenic Corridor below the high-water line.
Boaters are required to stop at Hancock Campsite at river mile 26.1 to receive further instruction from either a Forest Service representative or the posted information board regarding passing through and camping in the area of the Elkhorn fire. Camping, recreating (i.e., picnic, bathroom breaks, and beach walking), and stopping through the area of fire activity is allowed. Upon leaving Hancock Camp there will be no stopping until boaters pass Magpie Creek Camp. After passing Magpie Creek Camp, boaters will be allowed to camp and recreate on a First Come, First Served basis everywhere except Upper Allison, Allison, Lower Allison, Whitewater Camp, and Campbell’s Ferry. Upon leaving Campbell’s Ferry, there are no camping restrictions connected to the Elkhorn Fire. For additional information on rafting, contact the river desk at 208-756-5587 or 208-481-2625.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place. All aircraft (including drones) not assigned to the fire are required to remain out of the TFR area.
Visit InciWeb for information on wildfires at https://inciweb.ncwg.gov and follow the Payette National Forest on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest