US Forest Service — Salmon-Challis National Forest
Current Weather
Fire Growth Potential
Fire Weather Forecast
Incident Overview
Inciweb information was updated: 12 months ago
Today's Operational Briefing, 8/3/23: http://tiny.cc/OPSvideoAug3
The Hayden Fire started on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023, at approximately 11:30 am. The fire is located in the Lemhi Range, 18 miles west of Leadore, Idaho. The fire is burning in steep and difficult terrain with spruce/subalpine fir containing a heavy dead/down timber component. Fire cause is undetermined.
Basic Incident Details
Great Basin Team 7
Current Situation
Fuel Type: Mix Conifer at upper elevations with Sage/Grass in valley bottoms.
Fuel Conditions: Dead fuels trending below average, live fuels are at seasonal average. Live fuels are slowing fire spread. Large dead and down are readily available.
Fuel Loading: Heavy dead and down in mixed conifer, moderate fuel loading in sage and grass.
Minimal fire activity was observed, with surface burning of heavy dead. Cloud cover and higher RH played a significant role in moderating fire behavior. Fire activity occurred in Little Mill Creek, Cold Creek, Mill Creek, Kadletz Creek, Bates Gulch, and Jack Smith Gulch.
Planned Outlook
Div H: Hold and improve existing lines. Primary: Hold the fire using the constructed indirect line. Alternative: Hold the fire at Road 009. Contingency: Catch fire with aerial resources on the north side of he ridge to the north of Bear Valley Creek. Emergency: Scout for new anchor points and line construction opportunities in more favorable terrain further to the north taking advantage of simpler fuel models.
Div M: Hold and secure control lines. Buffer lines as needed. Mop up edge as needed to protect resource values. Mitigate hazard trees along ingress egress routes.
Div S: Continue mop-up and line securing to achieve containment along Road 010 and up to the Alder Creek summit.
Div W: Hold and secure anchor at DP 24 and SEC 22. Prep and continue burn operations in conjunction with DIV SWING to rock tie-in SEC 33.
IA/Contingency Group: Support Hayden Fire operations.
Heavy Equipment Task Force: Grade and water non-paved roads utilized to access the fire.
48 hours: Thunderstorms expected to arrive Friday with the potential for gusty outflow winds and lightning.
12 hours: Fire activity expected to increase throughout the day as warm temps and low RH, along with northerly winds a concern. Single tree torching with spot fire development is likely.
12 hours: Low relative humidity and moderate temperatures will result in active fire behavior. With fine dead fuel moistures at 3
24 hours: Increased cloud cover and cooler temperatures will reduce the potential for fire spread on Friday. Northwest winds will limit most fire spread to backing along the western flank. Single tree torching may occur, but spotting should be minimal.
48 hours: Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity will significantly limit fire movement in fine dead fuels. Heavy fuels will continue to burn and will be the most likely source of fire spread. Spotting should be minimal. Winds will shift to out of the east shifting the primary direction of fire spread.
72 hours: Sunday will be the peak of the cooling trend with lower maximum temperatures and high relative humidity. This will suppress fire behavior substantially, though expect burning to persist in heavy fuels. Surface fire spread should be limited to creeping and smoldering activity. Expect wind to shift to out of the south changing the primary direction of fire spread.
72 hours: Fire growth will remain minimal through the weekend but will begin to increase Monday. Fire behavior will remain low and slow in surface fuels, but more heat will be present in heavy fuels. Winds will shift back out of the west.
Completed: 66% Total
Confined: 70%
Contained: 62%
Dispatch Center Contact
Central Idaho Interagency Dispatch Center (IDCIC)
Salmon, ID
208-303-8103
