Wildfire Update – July 1, 2016
Contact: Fire Information, 406-821-0036
What: Observation Fire
Discovered: June 24th, noon
Location: Bitterroot National Forest, Darby Ranger District, 10 miles southwest of Hamilton
Summary: Doug Turman’s Type 1 Incident Management Team from the Northern Rockies is managing the fire. Day and night crews are patrolling, mopping up and improving line along the southeast part of the fire and along Lost Horse Road. Use of aerial resources continues on inaccessible terrain with water and retardant drops. Indirect contingency line will be constructed along Camas Creek Ridge as an added protection measure. Hotshot crews will construct direct line on the east side of the fire to avert downslope fire movement to the east.
A public meeting will be held Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center in Darby. Information will also be available at the FireSmart trailer located at the Charlos Heights Fire Station off Hwy 93 through the weekend.
Current size: 1,050 acres Containment: 10%
Resources on Fires: There is a total of 138 personnel on the fire including Turman’s Type 1 IMT, 7 crews, 6 aircraft, 3 engines, 3 dozers and 3 watertenders. Support is also being provided by Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office and Hamilton and Darby rural fire departments
Weather: Warm and dry conditions continue with breezy afternoons and evenings. There is a slight chance of a thunderstorm overnight. The fire is on the western edge of where storms are most likely. Wind gusts overnight with thunderstorms may have wind gusts of 20-25 mph.
Fire Danger: Fire danger is currently at HIGH.
Fire Restrictions: The Ravalli County Board of Commissioners closed the Burn Permit System effective July 1, 2016 at midnight prohibiting open burning (Resolution No. 3413). To stay current on fire restrictions for the Bitterroot National Forest, visit http://usda.us13.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=c1814ed0574e5c6afeeee8e6c&id=e275da5415&e=6223ae7d5f.
Closures: Area closure is still in effect for the Lost Horse drainage from the junction of Lost Horse Creek Road and Lick Creek Road west to the Idaho-Montana border, including Twin Lakes, Schumaker Campground and Bear Creek Pass Trailhead, and from Lake Como north to Camas Creek. LAKE COMO IS OPEN.
Special Concerns: Firefighter and public safety is the priority. Forest, County, Local, and State officials caution the public to be careful with fireworks. Remember that fireworks are not permitted on National Forests.