VIDEO: Getting control of the Moose Fire southwest of North Fork near Salmon has been an 18-day battle for firefighters.
The fire, which started on July 17 and is believed to be human-caused, is burning in “steep, hazardous terrain,” according to fire officials, and is 20% contained. Hot, dry and windy conditions have been an ongoing challenge for crews battling the blaze and have contributed to its steady growth.
In the last 48 hours, the fire has spread an additional 6,000 acres, bringing its total size to 64,078 acres. A red flag warning is in place Thursday from noon to 9 p.m., with forecasters predicting temperatures between 80 and 90 degrees in the area and wind gusts as high as 48 mph. Though there is only a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms, firefighters are anticipating another active day of growth.