Payette Wilderness Fires (IDPAF)

Wildfire Status:

The Payette Wilderness Fires currently encompass several active incidents within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness in Idaho. Among these, the Parks Fire spans approximately 5,978 acres, primarily located on the west side of lower Chamberlain Creek down to the Salmon River. Recent weather conditions, including a cold front that brought strong gusty winds, have influenced fire behavior, particularly on the southwest flank, where flames have spread into Queens Creek. Fortunately, monitoring efforts indicate that favorable effects are occurring across the burn area, with protective measures around critical infrastructure, such as the Chamberlain bridge, successfully maintained.

In addition to the Parks Fire, the Farrow Fire has burned around 3,084 acres and is located about 2.5 miles from Cold Meadows Guard Station. This fire was detected due to lightning and has shown scattered heat throughout its area. Fire crews are actively responding with structure protection equipment to safeguard Cold Meadows, while allowing the fire to play its natural ecological role under a Zone/Point Protection strategy. Neither the Parks Fire nor the Farrow Fire has prompted area or trail closures, although visitors are advised to remain vigilant for fire-related hazards.

Other smaller fires, such as the Cotton Fire (104 acres) and the Copper Fire (2,129 acres), have also been monitored, with strategies in place to ensure minimal impact on the wilderness landscape. The Forest Service emphasizes that all wildfire incidents are evaluated for risk and safety, utilizing a combination of suppression, containment, and monitoring strategies tailored to the unique characteristics of each fire. As of now, while the situation remains dynamic, the overall response has been effective at mitigating risks to both natural resources and human life in the region.

Visit Inciweb Incident Page for more information. Information on this page is provided for informational purposes only.