12:12 p.m. MDT July 23, 2022
Most of the 5,000 acres of growth of the Moose Fire in eastern Idaho Friday was on the west and east sides, spreading for about a mile to the east and west. Friday night the fire burned actively, spreading west as far as Kayak Camp. In the North Fork area it reached the west bank of the Salmon River. Two miles of the east flank are on the steep slopes west of and above US Highway 93.
Friday’s Red Flag weather conditions increased fire activity along the top of Napoleon Ridge. North of the Salmon River, firefighters succeeded in holding fire line built during the last several days.
At 10:33 p.m. Friday it was mapped at 28,839 acres. At that time it was 12 miles northwest of Salmon, Idaho and 10 miles west of the Idaho/Montana border.
Two pilots were killed Thursday July 21 when their Chinook helicopter crashed into the Salmon River while working on the fire. They were identified as Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jared Bird, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska. The National Transportation Safety Board will conduct an investigation.
A spokesperson for the Salmon Challis National Forest said the cause of the fire is undetermined.
On Saturday firefighters will be holding and improving line around the north end of the fire and protecting structures along Salmon River Road and Highway 93. On the southeast side, crews and heavy equipment will work on building an indirect line along Diamond Creek Road from the Highway 93 corridor up into Five Corners.
At the site of the Indianola Ranger Station along the Salmon River (see map above) there is a memorial to two firefighters who were killed while working on the Cramer Fire July 22, 2003 — Jeff Allen and Shane Heath, members of the Indianola Helitack Crew. More information HERE and HERE.
Weather conditions are expected to moderate Saturday with quieter winds, however it will still be hot and dry for several days.
Hey LP OPS—-
refreshing to see you used the word “woman”.
Idaho Strong
Drove through the smoke yesterday and thought about the brave people men and women who risk their health and lives in the inferno and want to say thank you .
You make the world a better place and restore faith in humanity God bless you and keep you safe
Something more than 20 $ / hr after 14 years of service – broken promises and broken career ladders would be nice. How about a call to your congress demanding their signature for Tims Act (H.R. 5631)? It does not do everything that is needed – but it is a foothold of a start. What a way to show appreciation – to please call your senators and congressional reps – and demand their signature for Tims Act. Thank you.
Amen your words say it all!!! We are all family during this time and we care about all the men & women fighting our fires to save our lives and save our country. The bravery and dedication these people show daily isn’t for us to see it’s for us to live & be protected. Us family members need to support them and each other. We all know the price they are paying for us! At any moment we could get the call no one wants. It feels like the war again everyday they are fighting these fires and just as unpredictable! Even though my Fiancé has many years of experience, there isn’t enough experience to stop a fire with a wind it’s about protection then and each and everyone of them have each others back! They are a special kind of family up there. So I ask we all pray together for every persons safe return and families going through the roughest times of their lives. I was blessed to be able to speak only a few minutes but to hear his voice gave me the strength for another day. To encourage him and make sure he isn’t worried about us but he keeps himself and crew safe during this time is important. I can ask questions here and talk about my fear but I won’t do that to him it’s a time to encourage and keep them safe from distractions if your blessed to speak to them encourage them make sure to tell them good news good thoughts and share your love tell them about the baseball game anything that keeps life normal because I will tell you they are worried about us too. God be with all of you.
Yes, thank you and we should not forget people like yourself that are family and friends to those brave firefighters .
You are faced with burden of worry and separation, may you have faith and strength until they return to you, safe an sound
My husband is there with a bulldozer. We all hope and pray for everyone that is on a crew of any type for their continued safety. We that stay behind can only pray for the safety of our loved ones and be supportive that these men and women are willing to go and do this to help others.
Amen
The love of my life who we plan on being married after the fire season was on the helicopter 1/2 hour before the crash. My heart goes out to the families and for my Love know I’m here with daily prayers for you all but for you to come home and start our new life together. He is extremely qualified and has been doing this for years but spent the 1st day protecting his team from the fire then now 1/2 hour later would have had his team on that helicopter. He truly is a great man & team leader and gives everyone else the credit. A true leader and Marine forever! ~love your soon to be wife. Praying for you all!
Approximately 60 miles NE of the Moose fire is the Hog Trough fire. On Sat, July 23, the USFS had closed the Skalkaho-Rye Road and was building a fire break in anticipation of high, and perhaps unpredictable, winds forecast over the next few days.
We’re praying for all you Fireman out there, & also for the ones that support you.
There are women doing the job too, Teresa
Why the snarky comment. Hopefully everyone is safe and we all appreciate all of their efforts.
Not intended as snarky, sorry you took it that way. It’s a reminder that there are women whose contributions to the wildland fire service have been overlooked for too long.
My grandson and his hotshot team are one of many firefighters on the Moose fire. Thank you for your prayers! While they love what they do, this is a nervous time of year for their families.