Pine Creek Fire Morning Update
Incident: Pine Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/2/2012
Greg Poncin Incident Commander
FIRE UPDATEPine Creek
Update: September 2, 2012 @ 10 a.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
There will be a fire information meeting tonight at 7:30p.m. at the Livingston Christian Center across, from Town and Country.
YESTERDAY'S ACTIVITY: Several thunderstorms moved over the fire area late yesterday afternoon, bringing strong winds and rain. With the minimal fire activity, firefighters were able to construct some direct fireline on the southern part of the fire near George Creek. Engines continued to make progress working to put out hot spots and clearing hazards around the structures in Pine Creek. A feller buncher worked to clear some of the timber in the south fork of Deep Creek. Fire personnel flew over the ridge between Davis Creek and Deep Creek to assess the fire in that area. There was very minimal activity, with the moisture received.
The fire area received about .30" of rain in the late afternoon and relative humidity recoveries were excellent overnight.
TODAY'S WEATHER AND PLANNED ACTIVITY: A cold front pushed through the area last night, and the dry weather that has been prevalent in the area will return through mid-week. The relative humidity will drop significantly today. Today's forecast calls for a high temperature of 81 degrees and minimum relative humidity of 12-17%. Southwest winds from 10-15 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.
Crews will be constructing fireline along the fire's edge from the Pine Creek Campground working south. Engines will continue their work in Pine Creek, mopping up hot spots and clearing hazards. In the Deep Creek area, firefighters will look to construct fireline where it is safe, and helicopter bucket drops will be used to check fire spread northward. There is currently no fire on the north side of the North Fork of Deep Creek. Firefighters will be monitoring the fire in the Davis Creek area, and bucket drops will be used if needed.
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 to the north side of 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 today, 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
