Idaho Prescribed Fire Council

10/21/2026

Due to smoke impacts and incoming wet weather, the Payette National Forest will not resume broadcast prescribed fire operations at this time. After this weather event, the forest may resume hazardous fuels reduction through pile burning, if weather and fuels indices meet the required conditions for safe and effective treatment.

Over the next few days, smoke may continue to be visible around project areas. Fire crews will be focused on patrolling and securing previous ignitions across the forest.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to keep our forests and communities safe.

10/21/2026

10/21/2026

Tomorrow, the Payette National Forest will not conduct prescribed fire operations. We know many of our communities have been experiencing smoke over the past couple of weeks, and we want to provide a pause to allow conditions to improve and give the smoke time to disperse.

We understand how smoke can affect daily life, health, and outdoor activities, and we appreciate your patience as we work to balance forest health with community well‑being.

Tomorrow, crews will focus on patrolling and securing previous ignitions across the forest.

Weather permitting, prescribed fire operations may resume on Thursday. We will continue to keep you informed.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Photo of the Brush Project area that was treated with prescribed fire to reduce the surface and ladder fuels. To learn more about fuels and research supporting these treatments, visit: https://research.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/fire/fuels

10/18/2026

Today’s Brush prescribed fire operations are progressing well and will continue into the early evening. Fire crews are aiming to treat 100 acres and are close to reaching that goal. One engine has been reassigned to support the Po***ck Road Fire, located on private lands about 12 miles north of the Brush project area.

Tomorrow, crews will focus on patrolling and securing previous ignitions across the forest while continuing operations in the Brush project area.

To learn more about the Payette National Forest's prescribed fire operations, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/payette/alerts/fall-prescribed-fire

Photo: Burning slash on the Brush project area.

10/16/2026

Today, crews are conducting prescribed fire on the Mill Creek/Council Mountain and Brush projects, with a goal of treating 300 acres today. Approximately 60 fire personnel are assigned and are working closely with meteorologists and air quality specialists to ensure conditions are safe and to minimize smoke impacts to nearby communities.

Prescribed fire is a low to moderate intensity fire applied under specific weather and fuel conditions and managed by trained wildfire professionals. This planned fire acts as a treatment to improve forest health by:

• Reducing forest density. Trees that grow too close together compete for resources and are more vulnerable to disease, insects, drought, and severe wildfires. Prescribed fire naturally thins weaker trees, recycles nutrients, and helps remaining trees grow stronger, larger, and more resilient.
• Improving wildlife habitat. These fires help reestablish a mosaic of vegetation types, age classes, and understory structures. This improves forage, creates openings, and enhances travel corridors—benefiting wildlife and supporting a healthy ecosystem.
• Increasing biodiversity. Fire reduces competition from invasive species and supports fire adapted native plants, boosting overall forest resilience.
• Lessening the severity of wildfires. By reducing fuels like leaf litter, pine needles, and shrubs, prescribed fire lowers the risk of high severity wildfires.

Photo taken this morning of the Mill Creek/Council Mountain project after yesterday's ignitions.

10/16/2026

The Payette National Forest successfully completed prescribed fire ignitions today on the Mill Creek/Council Mountain and Brush prescribed fire projects, treating approximately 300 acres. Crews remain on-scene to monitor the burn area. An additional 300 acres are planned for ignition tomorrow, weather permitting.

Location details:
• Mill Creek/Council Mountain Project: About 5 miles northeast of Council
• Brush Project: About 10 miles north of New Meadows, on the west side of Highway 95

What to expect:
• Temporary area closures may be in place for public safety - please watch for signs and crews.
• Some smoke may be visible during and shortly after operations. As winds shift, residents and visitors may experience smoke in communities. If you encounter smoke while driving, slow down and turn on your headlights. To learn how smoke may affect your health, visit: https://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/smoke-and-burning/wildfire-smoke/. To see current smoke conditions, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov.

Why is the project being completed now: Cooler temperatures, shorter days, and increased fuel moisture create optimal conditions for prescribed fire. Agency officials will continue to monitor weather conditions and will adjust plans accordingly.

What are the benefits: This project lowers wildfire risk by removing overgrown vegetation and increasing ecosystem resiliency.

Image: The Goose Prescribed Fire consumed overgrown and dead surface fuels, leaving mature conifer trees. This photo was taken last week, only one day after ignition.

10/16/2026

10/14/2026

The Payette National Forest expects to begin ignitions as early as today if conditions allow. Implementation may last through the weekend.

Goose Rx:
- Approximately 4.5 miles east of New Meadows. 2.5 miles south of Goose Creek and Last Chance CG.

Cold Rx:
- Approximately 8 miles west of New Meadows.

Mill Creek/Council Mountain Rx:
- Approximately 5 miles northeast of Council

These burns help reduce overgrown vegetation, improve forest health, and lower wildfire risk.

Temporary closures may be in place. Watch for signs and crews in the area.

Smoke is possible. Check AirNow.gov for air quality, and slow down with headlights on if you encounter smoke on the road.

Weather conditions will continue to be evaluated each day.

10/10/2026