Boat launches on the main Salmon River from Corn Creek to Vinegar Creek were temporarily suspended Monday because of the rapidly expanding Elkhorn Fire, the U.S. Forest Service announced.
According to the Lewiston Tribune, the closure is in effect at least until Wednesday. The Salmon-Challis National Forest that administers the river permit system began offering boaters affected by the closure a rollover option for next season on the same launch date.
First Service officials say the decision to close the river corridor had to do with the safety of rafters and the firefighters and because of the fire behavior in the area.
The Elkhorn Fire was estimated at 25,000 acres Monday afternoon.
The closure extends to roads, trails and the area east of Mallard Creek drainage upstream to Bargamin Creek and north to Bat Point. The road to Whitewater Ranch is also closed at this time.
Additional firefighting assets are being mobilized to help fight the fire.
