Forest fire burning west of Salmon continues to grow
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SALMON — The Mud Lick Fire burning in the Salmon-Challis National Forest grew more than 1,000 acres since Monday.
Forest Service officials say the fire is mapped at 5,263 acres Tuesday morning, up from 4,046 acres Monday morning. According to a Salmon-Challis National Forest news release, crews are working to keep the fire west of Panther Creek and away from mining infrastructure.
Smoky conditions continue to obstruct and restrict the use of air resources like helicopters and air tankers in fighting the fire.
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The Mud Lick Fire appears to have broken out Thursday after a lightning strike approximately 24 miles west of Salmon.
As of Tuesday morning, the fire remains completely uncontained.
Temperatures this week remain in the 90s with low humidity, creating extremely dangerous conditions for wildfires. As a result, Stage One fire restrictions are in place. These restrictions prohibit the igniting, building, maintaining, attending or using a fire outside a fire structure provided by the forest service. The fire restrictions also prohibit smoking unless they are in an area at least 3 feet in diameter clear of all flammable materials.
Propane camp stoves are allowed under Stage One fire restrictions.
The Lock Creek, Birch Creek, Gany Ridge, Indian Creek and Big Deer trails are closed as firefighters battle the fire.
A community meeting to discuss the Mud Lick Fire will happen Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Salmon. Officials will also stream the meeting live on the Salmon-Challis National Forest Facebook page.