Updated September 9, 2025
Scott Schuster, Incident Commander  
The Island Creek fire is located 14 air miles north of Elk City, ID on the Moose Creek Ranger District.  This is the fire that has been putting most of the smoke into the air in our area.
Start Date: July 31, 2025. Cause: Lightning. Size:   14,802 Acres.  Containment: 5%. Total Personnel: 232
Cooler temperatures are expected Sept. 9 through the end of the week. There was a 50% chance of thunderstorms and wetting rains predicted beginning mid-day Tuesday with potential for erratic winds and gusts of 40 to 50mph. Structure protection remains in place along the Selway River corridor and Stillman Camp. Air resources continue to be utilized to support the incident when conditions allow. A closure order remains in effect, as described under closures and special messages below. Mail and package delivery services will continue for residents.       
Current Status: Engine crews remain in the Selway River Corridor between O’hara Bridge and Fenn Ranger Station to ensure that sprinklers and hose lays remain operational while assessing further needs. Working with Grangeville dispatch, ground and aerial fire fighters are available if needed for initial attack on new fire starts from recent lightning strikes. Crews and heavy equipment on the 443 road focus on removing material from the shaded fuel breaks constructed to Limber Luke. Good progress continues on the shaded fuel breaks along the 464 road and crews expect to tie into the O’Hara Creek Research Natural Area boundary tomorrow.   
Weather and Fire Behavior: Cooler temperatures and increasing chances of rain and thundershowers are predicted. No intense heat was detected within the fire area overnight. Minimal fire movement is expected as the fire backs through the 2015 Wash Fire footprint. Predominant fire behavior is slow surface growth and smoldering of dead and down fuels. Overall fire activity is expected to decrease with lower temperatures, increased humidity and chances of precipitation through the end of the week.
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES:   As hunters and recreationists visit the Forest for fall hunting seasons and other activities, they should be aware of the expanded closure order. It includes parts of the forest bounded by the Coolwater Road, the Falls Point and American River Road, NFSR 464, NFSR 1129, NFSR 1119, NFSR 223, the Eagle Mountain Trail (#206), the Coves Lake Trail (#3), the Big Rock Trail (#693), the Three Links Trail (#495), the Mink Peak Trail (#438), and the High Line Ridge Trail (#626). For a map and more details on the closure follow this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/nezperce-clearwater/alerts/expanded-selway-river-area-closure-7-29.
Island Creek Fire Information 
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
(208) 295-2370
Office Hours: 8:00am-8:00pm
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idncf-island-creek