| |
|
DATE |
TIME |
DISPATCH |
NEWS RECEIVED BY
NRCC
|
|
8/23 |
1249 |
MT-MCC |
Knowlton Complex Fire
Update - 45 miles east and south of Miles City, MT.
Estimated at 7,100 acres for the complex. Caused by lightning
on the evening of August 21. Resources on the Fire: 2 helicopters,
28 Wildland Engines, 5 Tenders, 3 Dozers, 2 Patrols, 40 Overhead.
Cooperating Agencies: Numerous landowners are fighting the fire.
Several Counties, MT DNRC and BLM. |
8/23 |
0820 |
MT-MCC |
COMMIT N398M
TO KNOWLTON COMPLEX MT-EAS-011(46 19 59X105
08 01) |
8/22 |
0950 |
ID-GVC |
Porcupine Fire Update
- 2,147 acres, 10% contained. The Porcupine fire is located
20 miles east/southeast of Elk City, Idaho, in the vicinity
of Road 468 and Road 285. The 2006 Meadow fire lies to the west
and the 2003 Poet fire to the east. The fire received an estimated
3/4 inch of rain Thursday and Thursday night. Minimal fire activity
was observed. Weather conditions resulted in the helicopters
being unable to fly, but ground crews were able to continue
to clean up and secure the handline completed previously on
the west and northwest areas of the fire. Some equipment and
crews no longer needed were released. Evacuations and
Closures: Magruder Road 468 (from the junction of trail
505 to the Nez Perce Forest Boundary at Sabe Saddle), Road 285
(from the junction of road 468 to Elk Mountain), and Road 357
(from the junction of road 285 to Running Creek) are closed
to public travel. A map is posted at the Grangeville Interagency
Dispatch website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce/gvc/.
For more information contact VICKIE GUTHRIE, Information Receptionist
Red River Ranger District, Nez Perce National Forest (208) 842-2142
(direct) or (208) 842-2245 (office). |
8/21 |
1600 |
MT-MCC |
Foundation Spring:
This fire was reported around 9:30 this morning. Ismay and Plevna
VFDs and BLM engines responded. The fire is on BLM land and
is one acre in size. The fire is burning in grass and timber.
This fire is lightning caused. Drga: This fire was lightning
caused. BLM air reported that the fire. Structures are in the
vicinity. A BLM helicopter; two single engine air tankers (SEATs),
BLM , Ismay and Custer county engines, a private dozer are on
scene. Additional county resources have been ordered. The fire
is approximately 60 acres in size burning in grass and timber.Laney
Creek: This fire was reported at 1:30 p.m. by BLM aircraft and
is approximately 5 acres in size. BLM firefighters are hiking
into the fire. The fire is on private land burning in grass
and timber and is threatening BLM land. Weather: Thunderstorms
moving through the zone after 3:00 p.m. today. Some thunderstorms
may be severe with damaging winds in the evening. Possible gusts
up to 50 mph. Thunderstorms will decrease after midnight.Fire
Information ContactFor more information, please contact Mark
Jacobsen at 406-233-2831, Eric Lepisto at 406-233-2903, or Gloria
Gunther at 406-233-2905. |
8/21 |
1545 |
MT-BRC |
The precipitation and higher humidities
have slowed the fire activity on the Bitterroot National Forest.
Today, the forest’s wilderness fires are still burning,
with minimal fire behavior. According to Rick Flock, Forest
Fire Management Officer, “Unless these fires get a considerable
amount of rain, they will continue to burn.” The Bitterroot
National Forest will be reducing the fire danger from Very High
to High. The heavy fuels, especially of large diameter such
as snags and logs, are still dry. Fire may become serious and
difficult to control unless they are hit hard and fast while
small. With the forecast calling for warm and drier weather
through the weekend, citizens are still warned to use caution
because unattended campfires are likely to escape. Also, with
the Ravalli County Fair next week, more people will be in the
area and need to be urged to use caution. The public needs to
be careful because only portions of the forest received precipitation.
West Fork and Sula Ranger Districts received very little precipitation,
while the northwest corner of the Stevensville Ranger District
received close to an inch of rain. Willow Mountain lookout reported
snow showers at noon. The days are
getting shorter, and the north slopes aren’t receiving
as much sunlight. |
8/21 |
0945 |
ID-GVC |
PORCUPINE: Percent
Contained: 0%. Cost to date: $262,895. Estimated Containment:
October 1, 2008. Injuries: None. Structures Threatened: Green
Mountain Lookout and miscellaneous small structures within the
forest. No residences are currently threatened. Location: The
Porcupine fire is located 20 miles east/southeast
of Elk City, Idaho, in the vicinity of Road 468 and Road 285.
The 2006 Meadow fire lies to the west and the 2003 Poet fire
to the east. Yesterday’s Fire Activities: Although little
precipitation reached the fire yesterday, activity was minimal
except when wind gusts up kicked up some smoke. Firefighters
completed approximately 1.5 miles of line on the west perimeter
of the fire and were successful in preventing any movement to
the west. Spots on the west near the main body of the fire were
attacked and suppressed by ground crews, while air support worked
spots further to the north. The old 2003 Poet fire area provided
a good fuel break to the east side of the Porcupine fire. A
heli-well, a 10,000 gallon water tank, was set up near the Red
River Hot Springs road (#234) which will allow for more ready
access to water for the helicopters. Today’s Planned Events:
With below average temperatures and increased humidity forecasted
today, firefighters expect to make good progress extending the
hand line north from Road 468 on the west flank of the fire.
Helicopters making “bucket” drops will assist ground
crews and attack spot fires to the north. Personnel will also
be removing snags posing safety concerns along roadways. Evacuations
and Closures Magruder Road 468 (from the junction of trail 505
to the Nez Perce Forest Boundary at Sabe Saddle), Road 285 (from
the junction of road 468 to Elk Mountain), and Road 357 (from
the junction of road 285 to Running Creek) are closed to public
travel. A map is posted at the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch
website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce/gvc/.
There are no evacuations in place outside of the closure area.A
Temporary Flight Restriction has been established for this fire.
|
8/21 |
0900 |
MT-BZC |
Uncommit J-13
from WY-YNP-000803 Le Hardy 44 35 29 X 110
23 09 |
8/21 |
0830 |
MT-BZC |
COMMIT J-13 WY-YNP-000803
Le Hardy 44 35.29 x 110 23.09 |
8/20 |
1715 |
MT-DDC |
REMOTE FIRE FOUND IN ANACONDA-PINTLER
WILDERNESS DILLON, MONT., Aug. 20, 2008, 5 p.m.—A fire
reconnaissance flight this morning found a small fire burning
on a remote ridge in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, 26 miles
southwest of Philipsburg. The fire appears to have started from
lightning on Tuesday (August 19) but so far has burned just
one-tenth acre of whitebark pine. Because of the fire’s
location, its low potential to grow, and the relatively mild
fire season, Forest Service officials have decided not to try
to put the fire out. “With rain coming soon this fire
won’t do much except improve conditions for future whitebark
pine,” Jack de Golia, spokesman for the Dillon Interagency
Dispatch Center said. The fire is about one mile west of Johnson
Lake, three miles southeast of Ivanhoe Lake, and two miles northeast
of Bitterroot Pass. The blaze is in the part of the Anaconda-Pintler
Wilderness that’s in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National
Forest. For more information on the Whitebark fire, go to http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1493/
|
8/20 |
1645 |
MT-BRC |
Bitterroot National Forest –
August 20, 2008. Cooler temperatures, calm winds and higher
humidity contributed to a relatively quiet day on wildfires
throughout the Bitterroot National Forest. Of particular note
is the fire that burned the Alta Pine. A separate
news release is being distributed, describing that fire in more
detail.Here’s a run down of our current fires:
Stevensville Ranger District: Although small size at ½
acre, the Big Creek Fire, two miles west of
the Big Creek Trailhead, is burning in green timber and producing
smoke clearly visible to valley residents. This fire is located
in steep, rugged terrain; fire managers responded with a helicopter
and bucket drops yesterday and are closely monitoring the fire
today. -- Kootenai Creek Fire, is located approx.
1 mile east of South Kootenai Lake in the Selway Bitterroot
Wilderness west of Stevensville. It is approximately 1/2 acre
in size, and was started by a lightning strike on August 7th.
-- The South Fork of Big Creek Fire, also in
the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness west of Victor, is located
approximately ½ mile south of Big Creek Lake. It was
started by lightning on August 7th and is estimated to be 1
acre in size. A second as yet unnamed fire is burning in the
upper reaches of the drainage near Big Creek Lake. It is smaller
than ½ acre in size. -- The Arastra
Fire, started by lightning on August 1st, is currently ½
acre in size. It is on the ridge between Grizzly and Arastra
Creeks in the Burnt Fork drainage east of Stevensville.Darby
Ranger District: -- Kidney Lake Fire, on the
Darby Ranger District; the corrected acreage is approximately
10 acres in size.West Fork Ranger District: -- The Alta
Pine fire, which burned the historic Alta Pine, has
burned approximately ½ acre. Its cause is under investigation.
-- The Indian Creek Fire, located at the junction of Indian
Creek and Schofield Creek in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness,
is nearly 60 acres in size. It was started by lightning on August
2nd. -- The Cooper Point Fire is located near
Paradise, and has covered approximately 40 acres. -- Wapiti
Fire is creeping around, covering approximately 15
acres. -- The Schofield and Schofield 2 Fires
are each approximately 1 acre in size. These fires are located
in Schofield Creek, in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, and
were also started by lightning on August 1st. -- The Lake Loma
Fire on the ridge between Sawtooth and Blodgett, is located
in high, rocky terrain on the Darby Ranger District and is approximately
10 acres in size. -- Both the Lunch Creek and Eagle
Creek fires have been inactive, and each is estimated
at less than 1/10 acre. -- The East Stripe Fire,
located southeast of XIII Mountain in the Frank Church –
River of No Return Wilderness, has been inactive and remains
at 1/10 acre. -- The Wood Hump Fire, also caused
by lighting on July 18th has been burning actively and is approximately
2200 acres in size. It has spread from the Bitterroot to the
Salmon-Challis National Forest, and is located in the upper
reaches of the Selway River in the Frank Church – River
of No Return Wilderness. -- The Hells Half Saddle Fire
is located south of the Magruder Corridor in the Frank Church-River
of No Return Wilderness. It was started by lightning on June
30th and burned very actively yesterday. It is currently estimated
to be 1000 acres in size, and is impacting access to the Hells
Half Lookout. Travelers in the area should expect access restrictions
on the road to the lookout. |
8/20 |
1640 |
MT-BRC |
Bitterroot National Forest –
August 20, 2008. The Alta Pine, likely the
oldest ponderosa pine in Ravalli County, burned today. The tree
was burning from top to bottom when discovered. Fire was quickly
establishing itself in the hollow trunk and by mid-morning,
the top half of the tree fell after burning through. Painted
Rocks Fire District firefighters were first on the scene, joined
by West Fork Ranger District personnel. Dave Campbell, West
Fork District Ranger, explained that “Ordinarily, we might
cut a snag down that is on fire to prevent spread, but in this
case the tree is culturally significant. Also, because it was
hollow, it would have been very difficult to cut safely.”
Forest Service helicopters dropped water on the tree and the
surrounding trees to prevent the fire from spreading. The fire
was limited to about a half of an acre. The cause of the fire
is still under investigation. The Alta Pine was believed to
be the second largest ponderosa pine in Montana. In 1976, the
tree was bored, revealing that the tree was 800 years old, making
it approximately 832 years old. At its prime, the pine tree
was 114 feet tall with a circumference of 13 feet, 3 inches.
The tree is listed on the Register of Historic Trees of the
United States, and the surrounding area is managed by the Forest
Service as a historic site. The Alta Pine has long been a popular
attraction for visitors and residents alike. The massive tree
was killed by lightning on July 16, 1993, after surviving other
numerous other strikes during the 1980’s. Despite its
death, it continued to inspire people to take a drive and hike
the 100-foot trail leading from the road to the pine. At some
point during its life, the tree’s bark was peeled to harvest
a portion of the cambium layer, leaving a distinctive scar.
This cambium-peeled ponderosa pine had “cultural significance
to local tribes,” according to Mary Williams, Forest Historian.
|
8/20 |
1712 |
MT-DDC |
REMOTE FIRE FOUND IN ANACONDA-PINTLER
WILDERNESS - A fire reconnaissance flight this morning
found a small fire burning on a remote ridge in the Anaconda-Pintler
Wilderness, 26 miles southwest of Philipsburg. The fire appears
to have started from lightning on Tuesday (August 19) but so
far has burned just one-tenth acre of whitebark pine. Because
of the fire’s location, its low potential to grow, and
the relatively mild fire season, Forest Service officials have
decided not to try to put the fire out. “With rain coming
soon this fire won’t do much except improve conditions
for future whitebark pine,” Jack de Golia, spokesman for
the Dillon Interagency Dispatch Center said.
The fire is about one mile west of Johnson Lake, three miles
southeast of Ivanhoe Lake, and two miles northeast of Bitterroot
Pass. The blaze is in the part of the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness
that’s in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. For
more information on the Whitebark fire, go to http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1493/.
Editor’s Note: Unless events warrant, future news releases
about this fire will only be posted at the above Inciweb site.
For more information contact Jack de Golia, Public Affairs Officer
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest at (406) 683-3984 (office)
or (406) 660-2347 (cell). |
8/20 |
1642 |
MT-BRC |
Bitterroot NF Fire Update
- Cooler temperatures, calm winds and higher humidity
contributed to a relatively quiet day on wildfires throughout
the Bitterroot National Forest. Of particular note is the fire
that burned the Alta Pine. A separate news release is being
distributed, describing that fire in more detail. Here’s
a run down of our current fires:
Stevensville Ranger District:
-- Although small size at ½ acre, the Big Creek
Fire, two miles west of the Big Creek Trailhead, is
burning in green timber and producing smoke clearly visible
to valley residents. This fire is located in
steep, rugged terrain; fire managers responded with a helicopter
and bucket drops yesterday and are closely monitoring the fire
today.
-- Kootenai Creek Fire, is located approx.
1 mile east of South Kootenai Lake in the Selway Bitterroot
Wilderness west of Stevensville. It is approximately 1/2 acre
in size, and was started by a lightning strike on August 7th.
-- The South Fork of Big Creek Fire, also in
the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness west of Victor, is located
approximately ½ mile south of Big Creek Lake. It was
started by lightning on August 7th and is estimated to be 1
acre in size. A second as-yet unnamed fire is burning in the
upper reaches of the drainage near Big Creek Lake. It is smaller
than ½ acre in size.
-- The Arastra Fire, started by lightning on
August 1st, is currently ½ acre in size. It is on the
ridge between Grizzly and Arastra Creeks in the Burnt Fork drainage
east of Stevensville.
Darby Ranger District:
-- Kidney Lake Fire, on the Darby Ranger District;
the corrected acreage is approximately 10 acres in size.
West Fork Ranger District:
-- The Alta Pine fire, which burned the historic
Alta Pine, has burned approximately ½ acre. Its cause
is under investigation.
-- The Indian Creek Fire, located at the junction
of Indian Creek and Schofield Creek in the Selway Bitterroot
Wilderness, is nearly 60 acres in size. It was started by lightning
on August 2nd.
-- The Cooper Point Fire is located near Paradise,
and has covered approximately 40 acres.
-- Wapiti Fire is creeping around, covering
approximately 15 acres.
-- The Schofield and Schofield 2 Fires are
each approximately 1 acre in size. These fires are located in
Schofield Creek, in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, and were
also started by lightning on August 1st.
-- The Lake Loma Fire on the ridge between
Sawtooth and Blodgett, is located in high, rocky terrain on
the Darby Ranger District and is approximately 10 acres in size.
-- Both the Lunch Creek and Eagle Creek fires
have been inactive, and each is estimated at less than 1/10
acre.
-- The East Stripe Fire, located southeast
of XIII Mountain in the Frank Church – River of No Return
Wilderness, has been inactive and remains at 1/10 acre.
-- The Wood Hump Fire, also caused by lighting
on July 18th has been burning actively and is approximately
2200 acres in size. It has spread from the Bitterroot to the
Salmon-Challis National Forest, and is located in the upper
reaches of the Selway River in the Frank Church – River
of No Return Wilderness.
-- The Hells Half Saddle Fire is located south
of the Magruder Corridor in the Frank Church-River of No Return
Wilderness. It was started by lightning on June 30th and burned
very actively yesterday. It is currently estimated to be 1000
acres in size, and is impacting access to the Hells Half Lookout.
Travelers in the area should expect access restrictions on the
road to the lookout.
For more information contact Nan Christianson, Public Affairs
Officer at (406) 363-7113 or 531-1130.
|
8/20 |
1637 |
MT-BRC |
Bitterroot Forest Mourns
Loss of Historic Pine - The Alta
Pine, likely the oldest ponderosa pine in Ravalli County, burned
today. The tree was burning from top to bottom when discovered.
Fire was quickly establishing itself in the hollow trunk and
by mid-morning, the top half of the tree fell after burning
through. Painted Rocks Fire District firefighters were first
on the scene, joined by West Fork Ranger District personnel.
Dave Campbell, West Fork District Ranger, explained that “Ordinarily,
we might cut a snag down that is on fire to prevent spread,
but in this case the tree is culturally significant. Also, because
it was hollow, it would have been very difficult to cut safely.”
Forest Service helicopters dropped water on the tree and the
surrounding trees to prevent the fire from spreading. The fire
was limited to about a half of an acre. The cause of the fire
is still under investigation. The Alta Pine was believed to
be the second largest ponderosa pine in Montana. In 1976, the
tree was bored, revealing that the tree was 800 years old, making
it approximately 832 years old. At its prime, the pine tree
was 114 feet tall with a circumference of 13 feet, 3 inches.
The tree is listed on the Register of Historic Trees of the
United States, and the surrounding area is managed by the Forest
Service as a historic site. The Alta Pine has long been a popular
attraction for visitors and residents alike. The massive tree
was killed by lightning on July 16, 1993, after surviving other
numerous other strikes during the 1980’s. Despite its
death, it continued to inspire people to take a drive and hike
the 100-foot trail leading from the road to the pine. At some
point during its life, the tree’s bark was peeled to harvest
a portion of the cambium layer, leaving a distinctive scar.
This cambium-peeled ponderosa pine had “cultural significance
to local tribes,” according to Mary Williams, Forest Historian.
For more information contact Nan Christianson, Public Affairs
Officer at (406) 363-7113 or 531-1130. |
8/20 |
1545 |
MT-KIC |
The 313 acre Triangle
Fire-Use Fire is located in the Great Bear Wilderness
about two miles south of Montana Highway 2 or about ten air
miles northeast of Hungry Horse, Montana. Prior to the rain
event, single tree torching and backing were observed. The
fire received wetting rain yesterday afternoon and continues
to receive precipitation today. The fire is being managed
to provide resource benefits to the area, including decreased
fuel accumulation and potential for future high intensity
fires as well as improve wildlife and plant habitat. Hungry
Horse District Ranger Jimmy DeHerrera said, “Fire-use
fires are an opportunity for fire to play its natural role
in the ecosystem. We will continue to manage this fire as
a fire-use fire to obtain resource benefits that only evolve
from fire on the landscape.” DeHerrera continued, “Any
values at risk will be determined, and if the fire poses undue
risk then additional management activities will be implemented.
Closures: The area surrounding the Triangle
Wildland Fire-Use Fire and the Great Bear Creek Trail, Forest
Trail #328, are closed until further notice. For more information
contact Beth Goodman at(406) 387-3830. |
8/20 |
1015 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT H87M to
Goose Gulch MT-SWS (46 35.04 X 113 29.11) |
8/20 |
1000 |
ID-GVC |
Fire Facts-- Date Started: August
18, 2008. Personnel: 3 hand crews - 142 total personnel. Cause
of Ignition: Lightning. Aircraft: 3 helicopters. Size: 2,147
acres. Equipment: 6 fire engines, 1 dozer, 2 tenders. Percent
Contained: 0%. Cost to date: $74,370. Estimated Containment:
October 1, 2008 Injuries: None Structures Threatened: Green
Mountain Lookout and miscellaneous small structures within the
forest. No residences are currently threatened. Location The
Porcupine fire with located 20 miles east/southeast of Elk City,
Idaho, in the vicinity of Road 468 and Road 285. The 2006 Meadow
fire lies to the west and the 2003 Poet fire to the east. Yesterday’s
Fire Activities Fire activity was minimal yesterday, with isolated
torching. The majority of the acreage increase was somewhat
to the southeast, south of Road 468 and generally northeasterly
and easterly toward Green Mountain and Poet Creek. Spot fires
to the northwest were identified and treated by air with water
drops from helicopters. A Type 3 incident management team headed
by Brett Rogers, Incident Commander, and Kevin Barger, Incident
Commander trainee, took over management of the fire from the
District at 10:00 a.m. Today’s Planned Events Management
strategy for this fire is primarily to confine it from movement
westward into Meadow Creek, and firefighters will focus their
efforts in that direction. They will be working the northwestern
flank of the fire with direct attack supported by helicopters.
Firefighters will patrol the Red River Hot Springs Road (#234)
for any spotting in that area.The heavy helicopter assigned
to the fire will work to suppress any spot fires located west
and northwest of the main fire. Although Green Mountain Lookout
remains threatened, fire officials feel that it is quite defensible.Evacuations
and Closures Magruder Road 468 (from the junction of trail 505
to the Nez Perce Forest Boundary at Sabe Saddle), Road 285 (from
the junction of road 468 to Elk Mountain), and Road 357 (from
the junction of road 285 to Running Creek). A map is posted
at the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce/gvc/.
There are no evacuations in place outside of the closure area.A
Temporary Flight Restriction has been established for this fire.
|
8/20 |
0940 |
MT-BDC |
* On the Eagle Springs Road west
of Two Leggings, southwest of Hardin, an engine responded to
the Election fire in a stubble field at 11:30
Tuesday night. The human-caused fire was contained at just over
four acres. Another engine is patrolling that fire this morning.
* Tuesday's Woodrow fire of ¼
acre, two miles south of Lodge Grass, resulted from a fire starting
in a trailer house, then spreading into grass. The trailer was
consumed, but BIA and volunteer engines prevented the fire from
moving to nearby structures. Situation:
· The Apsaalooke Initial Attack crew left
the Snowhole fire Sunday and was reassigned to fires on the
Priest Lake Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National
Forest, 40 miles from Canada. * Crow
Fair campers did a great job keeping fire safe this year, recording
only two fires in the campgrounds. Weather:
* Humidities in the teens Wednesday
are still damper than Tuesday's fierce dry weather.
* High temperatures reach 93 in Crow Agency
today, and 91 Thursday. A cold front blows through late Thursday
with a 40 % chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures return to
the high 80's on the weekend.
|
8/19 |
1645 |
MT-BRC |
Bitterroot National Forest –
August 19, 2008. Today’s heavy smoke haze prevented fire
managers from getting a good look at the 17 fires on the Bitterroot
National Forest. Forest managers expect that higher humidity
overnight and throughout the day today prevented fires from
growing too aggressively. Officials warn that the next few days
are still critical. The National Weather
Service has issued a red flag warning for thunderstorms through
midnight tonight. And until the moisture and much cooler temperatures
predicted for later in the week arrive, conditions are still
ripe for new starts to grow quickly. No official fire-related
road closures or fire restrictions are currently scheduled on
the Bitterroot National Forest but travelers should be aware
of very limited access on the Hells Half Road, due to active
burning on the Hells Half Saddle Fire. In addition, the Nez
Perce National Forest is closing the Magruder – Elk City
Road at Sabe Saddle due to wildfires burning on their side of
the divide. The Red Quill fire, started this
afternoon on private lands west of Florence, is estimated to
be 15 acres in size. Human caused, a variety of volunteer fire
departments and state and federal firefighting agencies quickly
responded. This fire is within the jurisdiction of the Montana
Department of Natural Resources & Conservation; for more
information, please call 241-8051. Here’s a run down of
our current fires: Stevensville Ranger District: -- Although
small size at ½ acre, the Big Creek Fire,
two miles west of the Big Creek Trailhead, is burning in green
timber and producing smoke clearly visible to valley residents.
This fire is located in steep, rugged terrain; fire managers
responded with a helicopter and bucket drops yesterday and are
closely monitoring the fire today. -- Kootenai Creek
Fire, is located approx. 1 mile east of South Kootenai Lake
in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness west of Stevensville. It
is approximately 1/2 acre in size, and was started by a lightning
strike on August 7th. -- The South Fork of Big Creek
Fire, also in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness west
of Victor, is located approximately ½ mile south of Big
Creek Lake. It was started by lightning on August 7th and is
estimated to be 1 acre in size. A second as-yet unnamed fire
is burning in the upper reaches of the drainage near Big Creek
Lake. It is smaller than ½ acre in size. -- The Arastra
Fire, started by lightning on August 1st, is currently
½ acre in size. It is on the ridge between Grizzly and
Arastra Creeks in the Burnt Fork drainage east of Stevensville.
Darby Ranger District: -- Kidney Lake Fire,
on the Darby Ranger District, is also approximately 40 acres
in size. West Fork Ranger District: -- The Indian Creek
Fire, located at the junction of Indian Creek and Schofield
Creek in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, is nearly 60 acres
in size. It was started by lightning on August 2nd. -- The Cooper
Point Fire is located near Paradise, and has covered
approximately 40 acres. -- Wapiti Fire is creeping
around, covering approximately 15 acres. -- The Schofield
and Schofield 2 Fires are each approximately 1 acre
in size. These fires are located in Schofield Creek, in the
Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, and were also started by lightning
on August 1st. -- The Lake Loma Fire on the
ridge between Sawtooth and Blodgett, is located in high, rocky
terrain on the Darby Ranger District and is approximately 10
acres in size. -- Both the Lunch Creek and
Eagle Creek fires have been inactive, and each
is estimated at less than 1/10 acre. -- The East Stripe Fire,
located southeast of XIII Mountain in the Frank Church –
River of No Return Wilderness, has been inactive and remains
at 1/10 acre. -- The Wood Hump Fire, also caused
by lighting on July 18th has been burning actively and is approximately
2200 acres in size. It has spread from the Bitterroot to the
Salmon-Challis National Forest, and is located in the upper
reaches of the Selway River in the Frank Church – River
of No Return Wilderness. -- The Hells Half Saddle Fire
is located near the Magruder Corridor in the Selway Bitterroot
Wilderness. It was started by lightning on June 30th and burned
very actively yesterday. It is currently estimated to be 1000
acres in size, and is impacting access to the Hells Half Lookout.
Travelers in the area should expect access restrictions on the
road to the lookout. |
8/19 |
1600 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT H87M to
Goose Gulch MT-SWS (46 35.04 X 113 29.11) |
8/19 |
1500 |
ID-GVC |
Kooskia, ID—A five-mile
section of the Lolo Motorway (Forest Road 500) has been closed
from Deep Saddle to the road’s junction with Road 530
due to increased fire activity in close proximity to the Motorway.
Road 530 remains open from its junction with the Motorway to
Liz Butte Cabin.
According to Lochsa District Fire Management Officer Scott Schrenk,
three lightning-sparked fires are burning north of the Motorway
and one prescribed fire is south of the Motorway. Schrenk said
that while cooler temperatures and higher humidities are tempering
fire activity today, falling snags and rolling rocks still pose
safety hazards to motorists. The situation is being monitored
and the road will be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so,
he added. For additional information please contact the Lochsa
Ranger District at (208)926-4274.
|
8/19 |
1255 |
ID-GVC |
NEZ PERCE NATIONAL FOREST: Red
River Ranger District: The Porcupine Fire burned
quite actively during the night, southeast toward Porcupine
Creek and east of Road 285 toward Poet Creek. Fire personnel
will be flying the perimeter of the fire this morning to get
a more accurate acreage number, but it was estimated at 1,200
to 1,500 late last night. The Type III incident management team
took over the fire at 10:00 a.m. today. Firefighting resources
continue to roll in. There are two type 2 crews of 20-persons
each committed to the fire, along with three type 6 engines
and 2 water tenders. Firefighters on the ground are being supported
by two helicopters. Firefighters want to keep the fire moving
in a generally northerly and easterly direction, which will
keep it east of Meadow Creek. The Porcupine Fire Area closure
is in place. The following roads are closed: Road 1166 (from
the junction of road 234 to junction of trail 505), Roads 1170/1170C
(from the junction of road 234 to the junction of trail 505),
Roads 9541/1131 (from the junction of road 1172 to the junction
of trail 505), Magruder Road 468 (from the junction of trail
505 to the Nez Perce Forest Boundary at Sabe Saddle), Road 285
(from the junction of road 468 to Elk Mountain), and Road 357
(from the junction of road 285 to Running Creek). A map is posted
at the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch website link listed
below. Air reconnaissance continues in an effort to locate all
campers, hikers and others who may remain on the Magruder Road
or the Green Mountain Road. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity
are forecasted, which may give the firefighters opportunity
to get some good control lines in place. Clearwater Ranger District:
Two closures have been lifted on the district. The Forest Road
Closure #284 in the Little China Fire area is rescinded. The
Blue Ridge Prescribed Burn Area closure is rescinded due to
the Red Flag warning today, therefore no planned burning will
occur in the Blue Ridge area in the near future. Salmon River
Ranger District: Fire crews responded to one new fire last evening.
The Nut Basin fire is currently 5 acres. Moose
Creek Ranger District: The Diamond WFU Fire is burning near
Bear Creek Pass near a historic cabin. Fire management officers
are conducting the Meadow Creek burn this afternoon.CLEARWATER
NATIONAL FOREST: Powell Ranger District: No new fires reported.
The Toboggan Prescribed Burn on units #9 and #10 were completed
yesterday. No new update was received on the Storm Wildland
Fire Use (WFU) Fire, it is currently 80+ acres. For more detailed
fire information, contact the Powell Ranger Station at 208-942-3113.
Lochsa Ranger District: no new fires reported. Three confined
fires picked up activity last evening during the wind event:
Flame (40 acres), Middle Ridge
(5 acres), and Sheep Hill (5-10 acres). A closure
of a section of the Lolo Motorway #500 near the confined fire
activity, is pending. The Willow WFU Fire is
currently 15 acres, and the Weitas Prescribed
Burn is active. North Fork Ranger District: one new fire reported
and staffed (Wallace Fire) is one acre. Prescribed
burning on Toboggan Ridge Units #6 and #7 is completed.The most
current fire activity is located on the Grangeville Interagency
Dispatch Center website at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce/gvc/.
Click on the News Release link for the latest news, closure
and maps. Click on Fire Activity 2008 for agency fire activity.For
current smoke dispersion updates, go to http://www.fs.fed.us/rmc/,
click on smoke dispersion, and then click on the Western 8km
forecast.
|
8/19 |
1245 |
ID-CDC |
COMMIT T-179,
T-183, T-184 to Hall Mountain ID-IPF-007025
(48 59.457 x 116 24.472) |
8/19 |
1245 |
MT-MCC |
COMMIT Heli 392M
to Bear Gulch MT-CES-061 46 19 57 X 111 11
26 |
8/19 |
1045 |
MT-BDC |
* A house trailer burned to the
ground in the ¼ acre Woodrow fire about
10:00 Tuesday morning. Railroad ties and tipi poles were also
on fire. Engines protected nearby structures and knocked down
the flames by 10:30. A BIA engine, Big Horn Rural Electric Coop,
Big Horn County Rural Fire, Lodge Grass Volunteer Fire Department,
and Crow Agency Volunteer Fire Department responded.
* At 4:30 p.m. Monday, firefighters were mopping
up the 168 acre Good Luck fire, two miles west
of Rotten Grass Creek, about ten miles northwest of Lodge Grass.
Crow Agency's helicopter and helitack crew, three BIA engines,
Lodge Grass Volunteer Fire Department, Big Horn County Rural
fire, farm trucks, and a private water truck and tractor plow
all fought the rapidly spreading fire, which sparked from a
combine into two thick wheatfields, grass and sagebrush. A patrolling
Tribal Fish and Game warden reported the fire.
* The helicopter left the Good Luck fire to respond to a new
smoke in the Bighorn River breaks, which turned out to be an
illegal agricultural field burn. The second flight was unnecessary,
costly and potentially dangerous. Farmers must seek a permit
from Big Horn County Rural Fire at 665-9860 before they even
consider burning. In current Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, "building,
maintaining, or using a fire … is illegal" without
a specific written permit. Situation:
· Hot dry weather returns for the week
before school starts. We are still in the middle of fire season.
The Reservation's Big Horn and Pryor Mountains received just
two-thirds of normal precipitation in the last twelve months.
Keep plenty of water handy outdoors. Park on dirt, not in long
grass. Any fireworks are absolutely illegal. ·
Fire activity increased in Idaho and western Montana Sunday
and Monday, and will again Tuesday and Wednesday, due to the
dry heat at the end of summer. A few days of cooler, wetter
weather begin Thursday. Weather:
* The high temperature reached 96 degrees with
just 13 percent humidity on the Reservation Monday. Fuel temperatures,
or grass in the sun, reached 118 degrees Monday at 4 p.m.. Temperatures
climb to 101 degrees Tuesday and stay at 96 degrees Wednesday,
when a 20 % chance of dry lightning brings in weather in the
80's Thursday.
|
8/19 |
1030 |
MT-MCC |
Keystone: The
Keystone fire was reported on August 18th. This swather-caused
grass fire was located on private/BLM (Bankhead-Jones), burned
approximately 320 acres and was contained as of 0930 this morning.
Weather:Drier weather and a warming trend are expected for the
next couple of days.For more information, please contact Mark
Jacobsen at 406-233-2831, Eric Lepisto at 406-233-2903, or Gloria
Gunther at 406-233-2905.
|
8/19 |
0830 |
MT-BRC |
COMMIT Bitterroot
IHC to Bear Gulch, MT-CES-00006, 46 19 57 x
111 11 26 |
8/19 |
0725 |
MT-MCC |
UNCOMMIT HELI
N392M FROM BEAR GULCH MT-CES-061(46 19 57X111
11 26) |
8/18 |
1835 |
MT-MCC |
COMMIT HELI N392M
TO BEAR GULCH(46 20.3X111 15.1) |
8/18 |
1833 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT 87M TO
THE BEAR GULCH MT-CES-000061 (46 19 57N X 111
11 26W) |
8/18 |
1630 |
MT-BRC |
As the current fires become more
active, smoke columns from several fires are becoming more visible
to Bitterroot Valley residents. Here is an update as of 4:15
this afternoon. Although small size at ½ acre, the Big
Creek Fire, two miles west of the Big Creek Trailhead,
is producing smoke clearly visible to valley residents. This
fire is located in steep, rugged terrain and the Forest is responding
with a helicopter and bucket drops. The Lake Loma Fire,
on the ridge between upper Blodgett and Sawtooth drainages,
is now estimated to be 10 acres is size. A column of smoke that
appears to be coming from upper Blodgett is actually the Elbow
Fire on the Nez Perce National Forest. The Diamond
Lake Fire, also on the Nez, is producing a column that
appears to be coming from Lost Horse. This fire is actually
located approximately 2 miles west of Bear Creek Pass. The Pettibone
Fire, also on the Nez, is further west – approximately
10-12 miles west of Lost Horse drainage. The Forest is responding
to a report of smoke near Carlton Lake on the Stevensville Ranger
District. No fire has yet been confirmed in that location.
|
8/18 |
1615 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT Lolo Hotshots
to Purcell Summit MT-KNF-000117 |
8/18 |
1600 |
MT-BRC |
Bitterroot National Forest –
August 18, 2008. The Bitterroot National Forest reports at least
17 active fires within its management perimeter,but the most
visible fire is just west of the Forest, and the Montanaborder
in Idaho. The Storm Fire,
located in the Storm Creek drainage on the Clearwater National
Forest, was started by lightning on August 9th. Relatively inactive
for several days, it stayed at 2 acres or less in size until
yesterday, when it grew to nearly 50 acres. With high temperatures
yesterday and little overnight humidity increase, the fire remained
active and Bitterrooters awoke this morning to a visible column
of smoke.The next few days are projected to be hot and dry –
conditions that are conducive to active burning. By Thursday,
fire weather forecasts predict much cooler temps with the possibility
of rain. Forest Spokeswoman Nan Christianson indicates that
the backcountry fires pose little threat but Forest managers
are concerned about the possibility of human-caused fires in
or near the wildland interface. Chrisitanson urges landowners
and recreationists to be particularly careful with campfires
or any openburning, explaining, “any new starts in the
wildland interface will have the potential to grow very quickly
during the next 2 days.”No official fire-related road
closures or fire restrictions are currently scheduled on the
Bitterroot National Forest but travelers should be aware of
very limited access on the Hells Half Road, due to active burning
on the Hells Half Saddle Fire. In addition, the Nez Perce National
Forest isclosing the Magruder – Elk City Road at Dry Saddle
due to wildfires burningon their side of the divide.Here’s
a run down of our current fires:-- Kootenai Creek
Fire, is located approx. 1 mile east of South Kootenai Lake
in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness west of Stevensville. It
isapproximately 1/2 acre in size, and was started by a lightning
strike on August 7th.-- The Big Creek Fire,
also in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness west of Victor, is
located approximately ½ mile east of Big Creek Lake.
It was started by lightning on August 7th and is estimated to
be 1 acre in size.-- The Indian Creek Fire,
located at the junction of Indian Creek and Schofield Creek
in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, has burned actively yesterday
and is nearly 60 acres in size. It was started by lightning
on August 2nd.-- The Cooper Point Fire is located
on the West Fork Ranger District near Paradise, and has covered
approximately 40 acres.-- Kidney Lake Fire
is also approximately 40 acres in size.-- Waphiti Fire is creeping
around, covering approximately 15 acres.-- The Schofield
and Schofield 2 Fires are each approximately
1 acre insize. These fires are located in Schofield Creek, in
the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, and were also started by lightning
on August 1st.-- The Arastra Fire, started
by lightning on August 1st, is currently ½acre in size.
It is on the ridge between Grizzly and Arastra Creeks in the
Burnt Fork drainage east of Stevensville.-- The Lake
Looma Fire on the ridge between Sawtooth and Blodgett,
islocated in high, rocky terrain and is less than 1 acre is
size.-- Both the Lunch Creek and Eagle
Creek fires have been inactive, and eachare estimated
at less than 1/10 acre.-- The East Stripe Fire,
located southeast of XIII Mountain in the FrankChurch –
River of No Return Wilderness, has been inactive and remains
at1/10 acre.-- The Wood Hump Fire, also caused
by lighting on July 18th has been burning actively and is approximately
2200 acres in size. It has spread from the Bitterroot to the
Salmon-Challis National Forest, and is located in the upper
reaches of the Selway River in the Frank Church – River
of No Return Wilderness.-- The Hells Half Saddle
Fire is located near the Magruder Corridor in the Selway Bitterroot
Wilderness. It was started by lightning on June 30th and burned
very actively yesterday. It is currently estimated to be 1000
acres in size, and is impacting access to the Hells Half Lookout.
Travellers in the area should expect access restrictions on
the road to the lookout.-- Two small fires are burning in the
upper reaches of Big Creek; both are lighting starts and both
are smaller than ½ acre in size. |
8/18 |
1447 |
ID-CDC |
COMMIT T-179,
T-183, T-184 to Porcupine ID-NPF-000076 (45
43 00 x 115 05 00) |
8/18 |
1455 |
MT-HDC |
COMMIT 2SA &
88M to Bear Gulch MT-HNF-045 (46 53.46 x 111
43.56) |
8/18 |
1445 |
MT-MCC |
COMMIT HELI N9398M
TO 2008 NWLO PREPAREDNES MT-NWS-080005 (48 18 42X114 15 18) |
8/18 |
1356 |
MT-MSJC |
COMMIT J-15 to
Porcupine Creek, 45 43 24 X 115 5.88 |
8/18 |
1327 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT B 1-9
and T55 to Purcell Summit MT-KNF-000117, 48
49.50 X 115 29.5 |
8/18 |
1215 |
ID-GVC |
Storm Creek WFU
Becomes Active Overnight: The Storm Creek Wildland Fire Use
(WFU) Fire, reported at 2 acres yesterday evening, became active
during the night. Early this morning, the fire had grown to
approximately 40-50 acres with a smoke column visible from Missoula.
The fire is located in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness on the
Powell Ranger District of the Clearwater National Forest. Powell
Ranger District is headquartered at the Powell Ranger Station
located just south of U.S. Highway 12 and ten miles west of
the Idaho-Montana border.Storm Creek WFU, first detected on
August 9, was started by lightning. The fire is burning in subalpine
fir and rock approximately 11/4 miles northeast of Ranger Peak
in the Storm Creek drainage. The fire is moving towards the
northeast. The fire is being allowed to burn for resource benefits.
A Type III helicopter will be used to assess the fire this afternoon.
There are currently no resources assigned to the fire and no
area closures in effect. Fire personnel will coordinate with
the Stevensville Ranger District of the Bitterroot National
Forest in managing the fire.For more detailed fire information,
contact the Powell Ranger Station at 208-942-3113. |
8/18 |
0900 |
MT-BDC |
BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS Crow
Indian Agency fire update: Two engines, an ATV, Crow Tribal
Fish and Game wardens, and volunteers immediately doused the
1/10 acre Jefferson fire in the middle of Crow
Fair campgrounds Sunday afternoon. Children playing with matches
caused that fire, which was burning next to tepees. Engines
responded to smoke reports Saturday south of Emerald Hills,
south of Hardin in the Big Horn River valley, and in the Sarpy
Hills near Tullock Creek. No wildfires appeared. Each of the
smoke reports was due to permitted agricultural field burning
in Big Horn County. For information contact (406) 638-2247. |
8/17 |
1639 |
ID-CDC |
COMMIT
T-179, T-183, T-183 to Gisborne ID-IPF-008021
(48 20.7 116 45.9) |
8/17 |
1628 |
MT-KIC |
COMMIT Flathead
Hotshots to Purcell Summit MT-KNF-000117 (48
49 30 N; 115 29 30W) |
8/17 |
1601 |
ID-CDC |
COMMIT
Idaho Panhandle IHC to West Orwig ID-IPF-008020,
48 42 48 N x 117 07 29 W |
8/17 |
1530 |
MT-MSJC |
COMMIT J-15 to
Purcell Summit, MT-KNF-000117 (48 49.30 X 115
29.30) |
8/17 |
1514 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT T-06 and
T-55 Purcell Summit MT-KNF-000117 (48 49.50 X 115 29.5) |
8/17 |
1434 |
MT-MDC |
UNCOMMIT B1-2
from Purcell Summit MT-KNF-000117, 48 49.50
X 115 29.5 |
8/17 |
1434 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT L1-9 to
Purcell Summit MT-KNF-000117 (48 49.50 X 115
29.5) |
8/17 |
1354 |
MT-MDC |
COMMIT B1-2 and
T-10 to Purcell Summit, MT-KNF-000117 (48 49.50
X 115 29.5) |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
