Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.

Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribe purchase a subscription to continue reading.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribe purchase a subscription to continue reading.

Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription or log into an existing subscription to continue reading the Idaho Mountain Express.

Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription or log into an existing subscription to continue reading the Idaho Mountain Express.

Your current subscription does not provide access to this content.

Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code.

Promotional Rates were found for your code.

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 54F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Mainly clear skies after midnight. Low 54F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Serving Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey, Bellevue and Carey

Firefighters funnel water into a portable draft tank on the scene of the Moose Fire. 

Firefighters funnel water into a portable draft tank on the scene of the Moose Fire. 

Dry heat, gusty winds from thunderstorm downdrafts and possible lightning strikes created ripe conditions for wildfire in Blaine County on Thursday afternoon, triggering the third red-flag warning of the season for the Wood River Valley.

The warning—extended to 10 p.m. Friday—covers all valley cities as well as Stanley, Challis, Salmon and most of the central mountains in Custer and Lemhi counties.

Erratic winds and dry lightning Friday should present a challenge for the 922 firefighters battling the Moose Fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, according to federal incident management system InciWeb.

The wildfire was mapped at 43,230 acres Friday morning with 15% of the fire perimeter contained. It is expected to exhibit long-range spotting—behavior in which the wind spreads embers at distances greater than one mile—through Saturday, according to the fire outlook on InciWeb.

High winds could also expand the fire perimeter “an average of one mile to the west and south” over the next 24 hours, the site said.

The Moose Fire continues to send smoke southeast into Blaine County and the Snake River Plain, affecting air quality. For a live look at smoke in the area, visit https://fire.airnow.gov.

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Your comment has been submitted.

There was a problem reporting this.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!

We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

If you're interested in advertising with us, fill out this form to get more information.