Elkhorn Fire - Idaho 2025

The Elkhorn Fire started on July 29th around 5 pm and was lightning caused. The fire is burning approximately 33 miles northwest of Stanley and is burning on a cliff face adjacent to the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and approximately seven river miles from Boundary Boat Launch.

Firefighters are using a confine (confine involves restricting the fire to a predetermined area, often using natural barriers or fuel breaks) and a point protection strategy (a wildfire response strategy which protects specific assets or highly valued resources from the wildfire without directly halting the continued spread of the wildfire). 

Fire managers are using infrared flights supplemented with reconnaissance flights as appropriate. This strategy limits exposure to firefighters and maximizes firefighting resources for other wildfires that may be discovered.