Huge Idaho Wildfire Engulfs Over 68,000 Acres—Barely Contained

A huge fire continues to blaze across the Salmon-Challis National Forest, expanding to over 68,000 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire, named the Red Rock Fire, is currently 19 percent contained, with 513 personnel actively battling the flames.

Nearby, the Garden Fire is also growing, now approaching 10,000 acres with no containment yet. In total, 15 wildfires are burning across 469,308 acres in Idaho, as reported by the National Interagency Fire Center.

The Red Rock Fire, located approximately 15 miles west of Salmon, is the largest mostly uncontained fire in the state. According to a U.S. Forest Service update issued on Monday, the fire resulted from two smaller fires merging.

“Red flag conditions yesterday continued to challenge firefighters,” the U.S. Forest Service — Salmon-Challis National Forest said in an update on Facebook. “While there continued to be little fire growth on the west side in the Wilderness, other areas of the fire remained active.”

High pressure, with seasonable temperatures in the 60s, low humidity and wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour are driving the fire’s growth.

“Go” evacuation orders are currently in place across five designated zones, with a ready evacuation notice in place for the US-93 corridor from Williams Creek to Elk Bend. Entry to the “Go” evacuation zones is prohibited and multiple bridges and roads have been reported destroyed or impassable.

“Please stay out of the fire area,” the update said. “There is still active fire behavior in the fire area.”

Newsweek reached out to the Salmon-Challis National Forest public affairs office via phone and email for information on the ongoing situation.

An update issued on the Garden Fire on Thursday stated that “the fire continues to grow in the Garden Creek drainage and to the ridge to the north, toward the Salmon River. The fire, which was first detected on Sept. 8, was reportedly caused by a lighting strike.

“There will be a heavy presence of firefighters along the Salmon River Road today and are ready to respond in case the fire spots over the Salmon River. Aircraft, both fixed wing and helicopters, will be used if weather and smoke conditions allow. Fire managers are continuing to look for opportunities to engage the fire direct as fuels and weather conditions change, and it is safe to do so.”

Three evacuation zones have been established due to the Garden Fire: From Cove Creek to Ebenezer Bar, downriver along the Salmon River Road #030; on Panther Creek Rd #055, a half mile south of Beaver Creek Rd #057 to the Salmon River Rd #030 confluence; Panther Creek to Spring Creek to include private land up Spring Creek.

Cooler weather and possible precipitation expected by the middle of next week could aid firefighting efforts in containing the fires.

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about wildfires? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.