U.S. Forest Service - Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

08/31/2026

08/30/2026

Happy National Go To The Beach Day!

As summer begins to fade, its not too late to go to the beach. While the Pacific Ocean is a good, long day's drive from our forests, you don't need to leave the forest to get to the beach. In fact, the sandy beaches of the Salmon, Lochsa, Selway, and Clearwater are not only close to home, they also feature clean, warm water.
Want to kayak? You won't need to worry about the tide. The fishing is excellent here, and best of all, its shark free in our waters. So...Go to the beach, right here in the Nez Perce-Clearwater, home of some of the finest landlocked beaches in the United States!
Have you been to one of our beaches? Share your beach pics in the comments

08/30/2026

Moose Mountain Fire Daily Update - August 30, 2026
Size: 5,486 acres
Containment: 8%
Personnel: 135

KEY MESSAGE
The winds picked up on Saturday but high humidity and low temperatures helped moderate fire activity. Crews continued to improve road access and reduce potential fuels near bridges and campgrounds in the Independence Creek area. Cooler temps and low humidity are expected Sunday, with a warming drying trend arriving Monday and increasing Tuesday. Wednesday is forecasted to bring cooler temps with a potential for rain. Fire preparation work will continue with hand crews as well as masticators and dozers.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS
Crews continue to focus on minimizing potential fire impacts in high-priority areas, including bridges, campgrounds, residences, and other values at risk. On the west side of the fire, crews are grading, thinning vegetation, improving road access, and strengthening existing firelines while firefighters patrol fire activity. Mechanical equipment is also being used to remove vegetation and improve previously constructed firelines.

On the east side, crews continue preparation work in the Independence Creek area, including road improvements, vegetation removal, and hand preparation toward Deadwood Ridge. Additional mastication and hazardous tree removal are underway to reduce fuels and improve access. Along the southern fire area, firefighters continue monitoring fire activity and maintaining prepared areas near campgrounds and other high-priority locations throughout Black Canyon.

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Weather on Sunday is expected to be moderately humid with temperatures in the 50s and ridgetop wind gusts as high as 25mph. These cooler, more humid conditions should limit/moderate fire activity, although gusty winds may cause some localized increases in fire behavior. Monday is predicted to be sunny, warm, and dry, with temps in the 70s to 80s and light winds coming from the south, turning westerly later in the day. Tuesday will be warmer and drier with light winds shifting to the southeast. Cooler temperatures are predicted for Wednesday, with increased chances for a wetting rain.

EVACUATIONS
The evacuation level remains at Level 2 “SET” for the Independence Creek and Deception Saddle communities. SET means: Be prepared to evacuate. Pack important belongings and have your evacuation plan ready. If conditions trigger GO, leave immediately.

FIRE AREA CLOSURES
Forest Roads 250, 255, 5295 and 737 are closed in designated areas, along with Forest Trails 169, 176, 445, 814 and 815. Follow all posted closure signs. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft.

FIRE INFORMATION
Fire Information Phone Line: 208-935-6134 https://linktr.ee/nezperceclearwaterNF_FireInfo

08/29/2026

Check out these beautiful handmade ornaments that were just dropped off at Lolo Pass Visitor Center for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree!

08/28/2026

New Hamby Celebration: Join Us On Sunday From 11-3!

You may have heard that the Hamby Shelter is back and better than ever! Join us and the Valley Cats Snowmobile and ATV Club for an exciting event to celebrate the rebirth of this important forest resource this sunday.

We can't wait to see you there and we will be making ornaments for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

08/28/2026

Moose Mountain Fire Daily Update - August 28, 2026
Size: 5,145 acres
Containment: 8%
Personnel: 138

KEY MESSAGE
Changing weather conditions are forecasted to bring cool wet weather to the area over the weekend, providing the chance for significant tactical suppression strategies to take place. New agency administrators will be transitioning into leadership roles within the incident management team this weekend.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS
Agency focus has shifted to an increased emphasis on strengthening protections within closer proximity to private properties while continuing to work with communities around Deception Saddle which remain at the “set” evacuation readiness level.
Accessibility to certain areas of the fire area remains a challenge, as the fire is located in difficult terrain with heavy dead/down fuels. Mastication and road maintenance work continue to strengthen ingress and egress into and out of the local communities. Aviation resources are available and ready to respond if fire behavior increases.

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Temperatures will cool Friday through the weekend with highs of 65 to 75 and light winds out of the south Friday, turning westerly over the weekend. Chances of wetting rains increase Saturday with a chance of thunderstorms. Fire activity is anticipated to be moderate although heavier fuels will continue to burn. Monday and Tuesday will be warmer and drier with fire activity expected to increase. Precipitation chances increase beginning Wednesday.

AREA CLOSURE
Forest Roads 250, 255, 5295 and 737 are closed in designated areas, along with Forest Trails 169, 176, 445, 814 and 815. Follow all posted closure signs. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft.

FIRE INFORMATION
Fire Information Phone Line: 208-935-6134
Inciweb: https://www.facebook.com/NPClwNFs/

08/27/2026

Selway Wilderness Fires Update - August 27, 2026

Cascade Fire: 6,800 Acres, 50% Contained
Wolf Creek Fire: 2,280 Acres, 40% Contained
Three Links Fire: 760 Acres, 0% Contained
Grotto Fire: 1,200 Acres, 0% Contained

KEY MESSAGE: Above-average temperatures over the past two days have increased fire activity across the Selway Wilderness; however, overall fire behavior remains moderate to minimal, with Cascade and Wolf Creek the most active areas. Significant changes to acreage and fire boundaries are likely as new data improves mapping accuracy. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and possible precipitation are expected through the weekend, providing opportunities to reduce fire behavior. Fire managers continue to assess opportunities to limit fire spread, while firefighters work to minimize fire impacts to several bridges as fire slowly progresses through surrounding areas. Multiple trail closures remain in effect, including portions of the Selway River Trail #4. With hunting season approaching, hunters should plan ahead and check closure information before heading into the area.

CURRENT STATUS & BEHAVIOR
• Cascade: The fire is burning along the Selway River corridor, with moderate fire behavior — creeping, smoldering, and isolated group torching. Crews are performing work to mitigate fire impacts on bridges along Cupboard and Meeker Creeks. New trail closures are in place downriver from the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness boundary to Big Rock Trail #693.
• Wolf Creek: Fire behavior has been more active recently, especially in the south to southwest area where there has been new growth.
• Three Links: The fire is burning in the upper Three Links basin. Activity is low, with the fire backing through short grass, brush, and dead-and-down fuels to the south and east.
• Grotto: Fire behavior is minimal to moderate. Trail closures remain in effect around the fire area to protect the surrounding trail system from potential impacts.

FIRE WEATHER & BEHAVIOR: Today will be the last hot day before a significant cooling trend begins Friday as a Pacific Northwest trough and cold front move into Idaho. Breezy southwest to west winds of 10–25 mph are expected, with the strongest winds across North and Central Idaho. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, with stronger storms producing gusty outflow winds up to 45 mph. North Idaho will remain mostly dry as the front moves through.
For more fire information, go to: https://linktr.ee/nezperceclearwaterNF_FireInfo

08/27/2026

Moose Mountain Fire Daily Update - August 27, 2026

Size: 4,787 acres
Containment: 8%
Personnel: 140

KEY MESSAGE
Above-average temperatures over the past two days increased fire activity, particularly along the eastern and northern edges, with moderate spread and isolated group torching observed yesterday. Despite the increased activity, the fire has not advanced toward the Management Action Point that would trigger a “GO” evacuation for residents in the Deception Creek and Independence Creek areas. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and possible precipitation are expected through the weekend, providing firefighters additional opportunities to limit fire spread and reduce impacts. Work continues in areas where values at risk remain a concern as the fire slowly progresses in that direction. The fire area and associated road and trail closures remain in place due to unsafe conditions. With hunting season approaching, hunters should plan ahead and check closure information before heading into the area.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS
As the fire progresses closer to Independence Creek, crews are prioritizing efforts to minimize impacts by removing trees and debris, testing sprinklers and water pumps around structures, and improving road access for water drafting. Heavy equipment is being used to construct a contingency fire line between the eastern fire perimeter and structures near Deception Saddle. Firefighters are also removing debris generated by recent mastication activities. Crews continue patrolling Forest Road 250 and the Hidden Creek Campground area, assessing opportunities to limit fire spread and removing hazardous debris along the road through Black Canyon.

WEATHER, FUELS, AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
A cooling trend is expected to begin today and continue through the weekend, with temperatures decreasing to the mid-70s to low 80s. Higher humidity and increased moisture will bring a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday. While cooler and wetter conditions should moderate fire behavior, any lightning from thunderstorms could pose a risk of new ignitions.

EVACUATIONS
The evacuation level remains at Level 2 “SET” for the Independence Creek and Deception Saddle communities. SET means: Be prepared to evacuate. Pack important belongings and have your evacuation plan ready. If conditions trigger GO, leave immediately.

FIRE AREA CLOSURES
Forest Roads 250, 255, 5295 and 737 are closed in designated areas, along with Forest Trails 169, 176, 445, 814 and 815. Follow all posted closure signs. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft.

FIRE INFORMATION
Fire Information Phone Line: 208-935-6134
Inciweb: https://www.facebook.com/NPClwNFs/

08/26/2026

⚠️ Please watch out for logging trucks while driving on your national forest! They are busy hauling right now.

There were 2,080 loaded log trucks crossing IPNF roads during the month of July!

They hauled more than 10 million board feet of timber from the IPNF to area mills.

Loaded logging trucks can weigh 100,000 pounds or more.

They travel steep and winding mountain roads with many blind corners.

It can be very difficult for these trucks to stop suddenly.

Accidents can occur when passenger vehicles use the same roads as logging trucks during hauling activities.

Our log haul routes are marked with signs, and the drivers are required to carry CBs. If you have a CB, you can usually find the frequency that truck drivers are using posted on a road sign.

When you are able, pull over to the side to let the truck pass you on narrow roads.

Check out our website for more tips on driving safety: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/idahopanhandle/safety-ethics/travelling-forest-roads

(Forest Service photo by April Rainey)

08/26/2026

ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE:

The Mike White restoration project is a collaborative effort between Trout Unlimited, the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forests, and the Nez Perce Tribe. The project will remove a fish passage barrier on USFS Road 100, opening 1.7 miles of habitat for ESA-listed Snake River Steelhead and other native fish. Additionally, the project will restore approximately 500 feet of channel, improving juvenile rearing habitat. Funding for the project is provided by the USFS Resource Advisory Committee, Idaho Office of Species, Minerals, and Energy, and Bonneville Power Administration.

Approximately 2 miles of FSR 100 will be closed from September 8th through October 8th from the intersections of FSR 5132 and FSR 5135 for this duration. The detour for this closure is for the public to travel FSR 5132 around Chamook Saddle and come down FSR 5135 or FSR 520 to FSR 521.

Please plan accordingly and avoid this area during the duration of the closure.