Fire Update 9/11/12
Incident: East Fork Wildfire
Released: 9/11/2012
EAST FORK FIRE
FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Date: September 11, 2012 Time: 4:00 p.m.
Information Officer: Kathy Bushnell, 406-422-7164
Incident: East Fork Fire Incident Commander: Beau Macy
Detected/Reported: August 22, 2012 Cause: Lightning
Origin: T16N, R10W, Section 36 on the Helena National Forest-Lincoln Ranger District
Approximate Size: 2,400 acres
Fire Update: Yesterday the East Fork Fire experienced active fire behavior due to the windy conditions-gusts up to 50 mph on the fire-and low relative humidity levels. Much of the fire activity, which included group and single tree torching and spotting, occurred on the south and east flanks of the fire area. The fire continues to burn in contiguous sub-alpine fir, which is known for prolific spotting, and dense, dead timber.
Yesterday, some spot fires were detected in the head of the Copper Creek drainage yesterday, to which firefighters responded and scouted for those and other spot fires outside of the Wilderness boundary. Additional fire crews have been ordered to help with on-the-ground suppression of the spot fires located outside of the Wilderness boundary; however, due to the other large fires in Montana, Idaho and other areas, those crew-orders may not be filled immediately.
Due the fire activity from yesterday and what may occur today with the forecasted critical fire weather conditions, a closure order has been issued for the area near the East Fork Fire. Below is a detailed description of the closure area. As a result of the fire activity, Brett Todd's outfitter camp in Meadow Creek was relocated to two separate, safe places: Middle Fork and Camp Creek.
Due to continued safety concerns, there will be no direct attack on the main East Fork Fire and other spot fires within the Scapegoat Wilderness boundary; however, fire personnel will continue to monitor the fire from safe locations.
The Red Flag Warning was extended until midnight tonight for strong sustained and gusty winds and continued low relative humidity levels. Fire Danger remains "High" for the Lincoln District.
Closures: Below is a list of current 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
· ·NEW· Area Closure: From and including the Dry Creek Trailhead at the junction of Beaver Creek Road #4106 and Trail #483 in T15N R10W Section 17; north along Trail #483 to the Helena National Forest boundary starting in T15N R10W Section 17 to Daly Peak in T16 R10W Section 34; along the ridgeline from Daly Peak north to Bugle Mtn in T17N R10W Section 14 and ridgeline continuing to Mainline Trail #481; continuing south of Mainline Trail #481 (allowing for travel on Trail #481) to the Wilderness Boundary in T16N R8W Section 33; continuing along the Wilderness Boundary in T16N R8W Section 32 to ridgeline connecting to Copper Creek Roads #330 in T15N R8W Section 5 continuing north of Copper Creek Road #330 allowing for travel on Road #330) to end of road T15N R9W Section 10; following drainage through T15N R9W Section 9 to ridge in T15N R9W Sections 17 & 8; following ridge in T15N R9W Section 8 to junction of ridge system in T15N R9W in Section 7 following south along ridge through Section 18 to junction with Beaver Creek Road #4106 in T15N R10W Section 25; following north of Beaver Creek Road #4106 (allowing for travel on road #4106) to the Dry Creek Trailhead in T15N R10W Section 17. See enclosed map.
For more information: call Kathy Bushnell at 422-7164 or go to http://www.inciweb.org/.
