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U.S. Forest Service - Salmon-Challis National Forest

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U.S. Forest Service - Salmon-Challis National Forest

The United States Forest Service page is a combined effort of the National Forest Foundation.

All photos are USDA Forest Service photos unless otherwise noted. “The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System and administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/”

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife.

10/14/2026

🔥 Fire Danger Lowered to LOW

The Salmon–Challis National Forest will lower its fire danger rating from Moderate to LOW across the Forest today, Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Cooler temperatures, increased moisture and seasonal weather conditions have reduced the potential for wildfires to start and spread.

While fire danger has decreased, wildfires can still occur. Visitors are reminded to use caution with campfires, ensure they are completely extinguished before leaving and continue practicing fire safety while enjoying the Forest.

For current fire information, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

10/12/2026

Our offices will be closed today in observance of the holiday, but national forests remain open for your enjoyment. Stay safe, pack out what you pack in and enjoy your big backyard!

10/08/2026

🔥 Prescribed Fire Planned for Bartlett Creek

The Salmon–Challis National Forest plans to conduct prescribed fire operations on approximately 2,000 acres within the Bartlett Creek Vegetation Project area on Thursday, October 8, weather and conditions permitting. Aerial ignitions are expected to begin around 1 p.m.

The project aims to improve forest health by reducing excess vegetation, improving tree spacing and promoting a more diverse forest understory.

These treatments will help restore historic forest conditions, reduce competition for resources and lessen the potential severity of future wildfires, insect outbreaks and disease.

Smoke may be visible from surrounding areas during operations.

Prescribed fire is an important tool for maintaining healthy, resilient forests and reducing the risk of high-severity wildfires.

10/06/2026

🔥 Fall Prescribed Fire Operations Planned

The Salmon-Challis National Forest is planning prescribed fire operations beginning as early as October and continuing through December, as weather conditions allow and pending required approvals.

Planned prescribed fires include:
🔥 North Fork West – Granite Bowl, up to 300 acres
🔥 North Fork West – Hull Creek, up to 200 acres
🔥 Sheep Creek – Dry Gulch, up to 300 acres

Crews also plan to burn hand-thinning and mechanical piles along U.S. Highway 93 North, Ridge Road and Bannock Pass.

Prescribed fire is used to reduce overgrown vegetation and help protect local communities, infrastructure and natural resources from wildfires.

Residents may see or smell smoke during operations. If you encounter smoke while driving, slow down and turn on your headlights.

Fire managers will evaluate weather conditions before each burn, and operations may be postponed or canceled if conditions are not favorable.

📍 Updates will be shared on our social media channels as burning begins.

10/05/2026

🌲 Stewardship in Action on the Salmon-Challis National Forest

On Friday, Oct. 2, the Western Landowners Alliance hosted a Stewardship in Action tour, bringing together producers, agency partners and others interested in the future of Idaho’s working lands.

With log decks providing the backdrop, Salmon-Challis National Forest’s Nate Meyer, Forester, led a discussion about how strategic timber removal can help maintain healthy, resilient forests while supporting the grazing lands local ranchers, including the J Lazy S Ranch, rely on during the summer.

Throughout the tour, participants discussed how different land management tools can work together across the landscape. Innovative approaches such as virtual fencing can help manage livestock grazing following wildfire and beyond, while strategic timber sales can improve forest health and support multiple uses of National Forest System lands.

🌲🐄 These efforts highlight what collaborative conservation looks like on the ground—local producers, communities and agencies working together to maintain healthy forests, productive working lands and resilient landscapes for the future.

Photos by Ingrid Fulstone

09/29/2026

🌿 Fall Aerial W**d Treatment Update

Fall aerial w**d treatments continue to make progress on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

Approximately 9,300 acres in the Hayden Creek area are complete, and treatments in the Red Rock area are also complete. Treatments in the Panther Creek area began Friday, Sept. 25, and will continue as weather and conditions allow.

Aerial treatments help manage invasive and noxious w**ds across large and difficult-to-access areas. Controlling these invasive plants helps protect native vegetation, improve wildlife habitat and forage, support healthy watersheds, and reduce the spread of w**ds into surrounding areas.

Treating invasive plants is especially important in areas affected by wildfire and other disturbances, where w**ds can quickly establish and compete with native vegetation during recovery.

Aerial application allows crews to efficiently reach identified treatment areas that may be difficult to access from the ground.

Treatments will continue through the fall as weather and conditions allow.

09/28/2026

New Fire

🔥 Tower Fire: The Tower Fire is approximately 6.5 miles east-southeast of North Fork, Idaho, between Tower Creek and 4th of July Creek. The fire is estimated at 0.1 acres and is burning in grass. Two firefighters are on scene responding to the fire. The cause is undetermined.

We will share more information as it becomes available.

09/20/2026

New Fire

🔥Alder Fire: The Alder Fire is approximately 6 miles south-southwest of Mackay, Idaho. The lightning-caused fire is estimated at 0.1 acre and is burning in a single tree. Seven firefighters are on scene responding to the fire. The Alder Fire is currently contained.

More information will be shared as it becomes available.

09/15/2026

🚧 ROAD IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETE | Lost River Ranger District

Heavy maintenance work is complete on Cliff Creek Road #532 and Bullion Canyon Road #554 in the Mine Hill area just outside Mackay, Idaho.

Cliff Creek had overflowed its banks and flowed down portions of the road, washing away dirt and gravel and leaving behind large boulders and significant erosion. Crews removed and repositioned boulders, rebuilt creek banks near the roadway, and improved drainage to help protect the road from future water damage.

These roads are part of the popular Mackay Mine Hill Tour and provide recreational access close to the community of Mackay.

A big thank you to our road crew for improving access in the Lost River Ranger District.

09/14/2026

🌿 Aerial W**d Treatment Update

Aerial w**d treatments in the Hayden Creek area on the Salmon-Challis National Forest are now planned to begin Wednesday, Sept. 16. Treatment is expected to take up to five days, depending on weather and conditions.

Crews plan to begin at higher elevations and work their way down to help reduce potential conflicts with hunters and other recreationists. Visitors may see and hear helicopters operating in the area during treatment.

Additional aerial treatments are planned to begin Monday, Sept. 21, in the Red Rock Fire area of Upper Panther Creek and are expected to take approximately four to five days.

Address

1206 South Challis Street
Salmon, ID
83467

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8am - 4:30pm
Friday	8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12087565100

Website

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/salmon-challis

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