Fire Update, 9/5/12
Incident: East Fork Wildfire
Released: 9/5/2012
EAST FORK FIRE
FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Date: September 5, 2012 Time: 11:00 a.m.
Information Officer: Kathy Bushnell, 406-422-7164
Incident: East Fork Fire
Detected/Reported: August 22, 2012
Cause: Lightning
Origin: T16N, R10W, Section 36 on the Helena National Forest-Lincoln Ranger District
Incident Commander: Beau Macy
Approximate Size: 1,123 acres
Fire Update:
Despite warm, dry and windy conditions, there was not much fire growth yesterday on the East Fork Fire; however there remains active fire behavior with some single and group tree torching and spotting. The fire continues to burn in contiguous sub-alpine fir-a fuel type that is known for prolific spotting-and dense, dead timber.
The 1-1/2 acre spot fire that is located outside of the Scapegoat Wilderness, in the head of the Copper Creek drainage, is contained and firefighters will continue to mop-up that spot and grid for other spot fires outside of the Wilderness boundary.
Fire personnel will monitor the main fire throughout the day, but for safety purposes there will be no direct attack on the fireline of the main East Fork fire. The strategy remains to manage this fire for suppression within the Wilderness boundary, primarily containing the southern flank and preventing spread to the south.
Although we are slowly beginning to experience some seasonal changes, weather and fuel conditions remain susceptible for fires that are easily ignited and can spread quickly. Be extra careful with warming and campfires; be sure they are dead-out before leaving the area.
Closures: Below is a list of current trails closures due to the East Fork Fire activity:
· Arrastra/Porcupine Basin Trails #482 & #488: entire trail of both beginning in T15N R10W Section 25 & T15N R10W Section 23
· Dry Creek/Meadow Cr Trail #483: from the beginning in T15N R10W Section 17 to junction of Mainline Trail #481 in T16N R9W Section 8
· Bugle Meadow Cut-across Trail #480: entire trail beginning at Meadow Lake T16N R9W Sec. 18 and ending in T16N R10W Section 1
· Sourdough Trail #427: entire trail beginning in T16N R9W Section 8 at the junction of Mainline Trail #481
Fire danger level: High
More information: Visit Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/ or call Kathy Bushnell at 406-422-7164
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