Pine Creek Fire Evening Update
Incident: Pine Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/1/2012
Greg Poncin Incident Commander
FIRE UPDATEPine Creek
Update: September 1, 2012 @ 9 p.m.
Contact: Fire Information 406-333-9884
Phones: Terina Mullen 406-208-0934
Karen Tuscano 406-223-2028
Warren Bielenberg 865-919-8663 (media contact)
FIRE NAME: Pine Creek
DATE OF DETECTION: August 29, 2012
CAUSE: Unknown (under investigation)
CURRENT SIZE: 9,578 acres
CONTAINMENT: 30%
LOCATION: Pine Creek on the east side of Paradise Valley
AGENCY: Park County, Gallatin National Forest
IMT: Greg Poncin's Northern Rockies Incident Management Team
TODAY'S ACTIVITY: A thunderstorm passed over the fire area in the late afternoon, bringing wind and some rain. Firefighters and dozers worked on the southern finger of the fire, nearly completing that portion of fireline. Engines also worked in that area around the structures, putting out hot spots. On the northwest side of the fire, firefighters tied in dozer line, and they worked to improve the line they had in place and mopped up hot spots. The spot at the ridge of Davis Creek was quiet today, and no helicopter drops were needed.
TOMORROW'S WEATHER AND PLANNED ACTIVITY: The dry weather that has been prevalent this summer returns tomorrow with a high temperature of 81degrees and minimum humidity of 12-17%. Winds are forecast to be out of the southwest at 8-15 miles per hour.
Engines and firefighting crews will work to improve and reinforce constructed fire lines behind private residences on the west side of the fire. Fire officials will scout for opportunities to remove fuel between the constructed fire lines and the active edge of the fire to the east.
Resources will be available to assist in the initial attack of any new fire starts in the fire area.
PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE: There are approximately 302 personnel assigned, including 8 crews, 12 engines, 6 water tenders, 3 dozers, and 5 helicopters (1-type I, 3-type II, 1-type III).
SPECIAL CONCERNS: Fuels in the area are extremely dry and receptive to burning.
EVACUATIONS & CLOSURES: The East River Road is closed to all traffic from Carter's Bridge to south of George Creek. The southern roadblock has been moved north to George Creek.
Some residents are allowed to pass through the north roadblock at Carter's Bridge (East River Road and Highway 89S) to access their properties.
Residents on Pool Creek Road, Deep Creek Bench Road, Deep Creek South Fork Road, George Creek and McDonald Creek may return to their homes, under a pre-evacuation warning. Residents may go home, but are encouraged to keep their bags and important items packed and ready to go.
Those residents on Deep Creek Road and Lower Deep Creek Bench Road are still evacuated and not being allowed back to their residences yet. Closure areas and locations of roadblocks will be assessed daily by the Park County Sheriff's Office, in consultation with fire operations managers.
Residents only will be allowed to briefly access their properties, via Sheriff's Office escort, for emergency purposes (i.e. care for livestock and pets, retrieve medical supplies). Access will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Residents should meet at the Pine Creek Fire Station #2 on 3 Pine Creek Road and access through the Pine Creek Road entrance. Escorts will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue through noon tomorrow, Sunday, September 2.
A forest area closure is in effect for the area from the West Boulder River west to the forest boundary in Paradise Valley, and from the forest boundary south of Livingston to George Lake and east to the Tumble Creek drainage which is a tributary of the West Boulder River.
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area in order to safeguard aerial fire operations.
SPECIAL MESSAGES: Travelers should be cautious of increased fire traffic on Highways 89. People who wish to make donations should consider helping friends and neighbors that were impacted by the fire. Other options include the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.
For further information, go to www.inciweb.org.
Follow the Northern Rockies IMT on Facebook and Twitter (Northern Rockies National IMT).
Park County Emergency Phone: 406-224-0808
