19 Ile Fire 8/30 8:30
Incident: 19 Mile Wildfire
Released: 8/30/2012
Issue date: August 30, 2012 Start Date: August 28, 2012
Temporary Contacts: Mariah Leuschen at 548-1174 or Jack Conner at 698-0501
Cause: Unconfirmed, under investigation
Location: West of Whitehall and east of Butte, north of Hwy 2 and south of I-90
Current Size: Approximately 3000 acres+ Containment: 0%
Resources Assigned: 1-20 person crew, 11 engines, 2 helicopters, 2 airtankers. Additional resources requested.
Closures: BLM has closed OHV trail/connector routes #24, 25, 26 from Whiskey Gulch Trailhead to a point just north of I-90, located T2N R6W, sections 23-26 and 35. The Forest Service has closed Rader Creek/Moose Creek Road #240 from Homestake Pass T2N R7W, Section 13 to Highway 2, T1N R6W Section 16. Fire officials are asking the public to avoid using Highway 2 between Butte and Whitehall to provide for the safety of firefighters and the public. Recreationists expecting to ride in the Pipestone OHV area north of I-90 over Labor Day weekend are asked to make alternative plans in case of a closure due to fire activity.
Current Status: A type-two Incident Management Team under the direction of Incident Commander Stan Benes assumed command from local resources at 6:00am Thursday. Additional resources are ordered and will be arriving over the next few days.
Jefferson County Sherriff's Office issued an evacuation order for the Lower Rader Creek and Toll Mountain areas. Whiskey Gulch residents have been notified that they may need to leave depending on fire activity.
Planned Actions: Fire personnel will continue to protect structures as first priority, secure the areas surrounding the remaining structures, scout and construct fireline through all divisions. The fire burned actively Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Resources are limited, but as additional incoming resources arrive they will be assigned and begin constructing fireline and securing the fire's perimeter.
Community Meeting: Scheduled for Thursday, August 30 at 10:00 a.m. in the Whitehall Community Center, 11 N. Division St. All landowners, evacuees and interested individuals are invited to attend.
Weather: A RED FLAG warning is in effect until 9:00 p.m. Thursday with southwest winds expected 15-20 mph gusting to 30 and low relative humidity. Temperatures expected: 80-85; RH of 5-10%, with terrain driven winds from the SW 8-11mph with gusts to 20mph. Spotting ahead of the fire can be expected up to a ½ mile.
Remarks: Additional structures have been confirmed lost. It is confirmed 2 primary residences and 7 additional structures. The team is working closely with local officials to determine additional structure losses, the type, location and notification. Evacuees that have a need to return to their property for a short time are asked to make escort arrangements through a public information officer who will be at the Whitehall Ambulance Barn on Thursday. Law enforcement escorts will only be available from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. depending on fire activity.
Cooperating Agencies: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Butte BLM, Jefferson County, local and rural volunteer fire departments, MT DNRC.
The fire is listed on Inciweb: http://www.inciweb.org/
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