Pine Creek Fire Evening Update - September 2nd
Incident: Pine Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/2/2012
PINE CREEK FIRE EVENING UPDATE - September 2, 2012
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: 7,800 acres (due to better mapping)
CONTAINMENT: 40%
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: 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 rain that fell in the fire area yesterday has helped limit fire activity today. Helicopters have been helping firefighters by dropping water on hot spots in the Deep Creek and Barney Creek areas. Very little fire activity was seen on the ridge between Deep Creek and Davis Creek, and helicopters were dropping water on those smokes they could see. Firefighters are hoping to complete fireline on the south edge of the fire between Pine Creek Campground and Barney Creek by the end of shift today. In Pine Creek, firefighters are continuing to mop up hot spots and lessen the risks of hazards.
PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE: There are approximately 396 personnel assigned, including 11 crews, 19 engines, 5 water tenders, 3 dozers, and 5 helicopters (2-type I, 2-type II, 1-type III).
SPECIAL CONCERNS: Fuels in the area are extremely dry and receptive to burning
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.
EVACUATIONS & CLOSURES: The East River Road is open to residents only from Carter's Bridge to south of George Creek. The southern roadblock has been moved to the north side of George Creek. There is also a road block on the Pine Creek Road. Residents are urged to limit driving between 0800-1000 and 1800-2000 because of increased fire vehicle traffic.
Effective at 8:00a.m. on September 3, 2012:
Roadblock locations will be
·- East River Road and just north of George Creek Road
·- Highway 89 and East River Road
·- Pine Creek Road
Those residents that live on Deep Creek Road and Lower Deep Creek Bench Road are still under a mandatory evacuation.
The areas that have been changed to a pre-evacuation notice are:
·- Lower Luccock Park Road
·- Barney Creek Road
·- Pine Creek Road area including Sunset Trail and N
Only residents will be able to access these areas through the road block.
Residents will need to go to the Pine Creek Fire Station to check in with the Sheriff's Office before entering through the road block tomorrow morning.
There will be no access to Luccock Park Road beyond the last residence.
Residents that are returning to their homes are encouraged to stay at their property.
Residents are also encouraged to stay off the roads during the early morning and early evening hours to prevent interfering with firefighters accessing and leaving the fire area.
Closure areas and locations of roadblocks will be assessed daily by the Park County Sheriff's Office, in consultation with fire operations managers.
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.
For further information, go to www.inciweb.org.
Follow the Northern Rockies IMT on Facebook (Northern Rockies National IMT) or Twitter@Poncin IMT.
Park County Emergency Phone: 406-224-0808
