Shingle Creek Fire Burns Near Riggins, Idaho; Crews Work to Protect Structures

A wildfire southwest of the small community of Riggins in Idaho County has grown to 614 acres and remains at zero percent containment as of June 25, 2026, prompting a significant initial attack response that includes hotshot crews, air tankers, and dozers.

Fire Location and Origin

The Shingle Creek Fire is burning approximately six miles southwest of Riggins, in rugged terrain along the lower Salmon River canyon. The fire ignited on June 21 and has been burning through chaparral and mixed fuels typical of the lower-elevation canyons in central Idaho. By June 22, the fire had grown to approximately 570 to 614 acres, and early reports indicated it had ignited near developed areas, raising immediate concerns about structures in the fire's path.

Idaho County Sheriff's officials directed residents to the office's Facebook page for evacuation information as the situation evolved. The Idaho County seat of Grangeville and nearby communities have remained vigilant as crews work to establish control of the blaze.

Robust Initial Attack Response

The response to the Shingle Creek Fire reflects the serious threat it poses. Resources currently assigned include:

Five fire engines
One 20-person hand crew
One hotshot crew
One helicopter
One dozer (ordered)
Four single-engine air tankers (ordered)
Two large air tankers (ordered)

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and the Idaho Department of Lands are cooperating on the suppression effort, reflecting the joint jurisdiction common in Idaho's complex land ownership mosaic.

Terrain and Fuel Challenges

The lower Salmon River canyon country is notoriously difficult terrain for firefighters. Steep, inaccessible slopes with dense chaparral fuels make ground attack extremely challenging, which is why air resources play a critical role in initial attack in this area. The combination of heat, low humidity, and the canyon's tendency to channel and accelerate winds creates conditions where fires can spread rapidly before crews can establish containment lines.

Riggins itself, a small community of about 400 residents situated at the confluence of the Little Salmon and Salmon Rivers, is a well-known gateway for white-water rafting and salmon fishing. The surrounding landscape is prime wildfire country during the summer months.

What Residents and Visitors Should Know

The Idaho County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency for evacuation orders and warnings in the area. Residents and visitors to the Riggins area should:

Monitor the Idaho County Sheriff's Facebook page for real-time evacuation updates
Check InciWeb for the latest official fire information
Be prepared to leave quickly if evacuation orders are issued
Avoid the fire area — unauthorized entry into active fire zones is dangerous and can impede suppression operations
Report any new smoke or fire sightings to 911 immediately

Broader Idaho Fire Picture

The Shingle Creek Fire is not the only fire activity in Idaho. InciWeb also lists the Poorman Prescribed Fire (2,692 acres) managed by the Idaho Bureau of Land Management as an active prescribed burn in the state. Idaho currently has one large fire reported to NIFC, and fire managers expect conditions across the state's lower-elevation rangelands and canyons to remain critically dangerous through the summer months.