Pine Creek Fire Morning Update
Incident: Pine Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/4/2012
Greg Poncin Incident Commander
FIRE UPDATEPine Creek
Update: September 4, 2012 @ 9 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: Human (under investigation)
CURRENT SIZE: 8,000 acres
CONTAINMENT: 45%
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
YESTERDAY'S ACTIVITY: Weather was dry and breezy, resulting in more active fire as fuels continue to dry out from the moisture received on Saturday. The fire was most active in the Pine Creek area. Crews constructed fireline along the fire's edge from the Pine Creek Campground working south, with continued mop up in Pine Creek Campground and Luccock Park. Engines continued work in the lower Pine Creek area, mopping up hot spots and clearing hazards. Firefighters worked to complete suppression operations in the Deep Creek area. A night shift of five engines and additional firefighters worked through the night to complete the assessment and evaluation of the area.
TODAY'S WEATHER AND PLANNED ACTIVITY: A weak cold frontal passage is expected to move through the area mid-morning today. Temperatures are predicted to be much cooler, with a high of 70-75 degrees, and winds out of the southwest at 8-12 mph, gusting to 18 mph. Last night, the relative humidity recovered to 60%.
In the Deep Creek area, a spot fire was detected northeast of the main fire's edge. Firefighters will use helicopter bucket drops to keep the fire activity down on that spot when necessary. The fire has not moved north of the North Fork of Deep Creek. Helicopters will also monitor the Davis Creek area and use bucket drops if fire activity increases. Crews will continue to reinforce the firelines and secure hot-spots on all completed line on the western edge of the fire. Structure protection will continue around private property.
Resources will be available to assist in the initial attack of any new fire starts in the fire area.
There will be a Community Information Meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Christian Center across from Town & Country Foods.
PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE: There are approximately 434 personnel assigned, including 11 crews, 21 engines, 7 water tenders, 3 dozers, and 4 helicopters.
SPECIAL MESSAGES: Fuels in the area are extremely dry and receptive to burning. The area closure on the Gallatin National Forest remains in effect. People are urged to travel cautiously with the increased fire traffic and school buses on the roads.
Effective at 8:00a.m. on September 4, 2012:
Only residents that live on Deep Creek Road and Lower Deep Creek Bench Road will be allowed to access their properties, effective September 4, 2012 at 8 a.m. These residents will remain under a pre-evacuation notice, meaning their bags should remain packed and ready to go in a moment's notice.
These residents should access through the roadblock at Highway 89 and East River Road. Have proof of ID and verification of residence status (photo ID, piece of mail with address, etc.).
EVACUATIONS & CLOSURES: Only residents will be allowed to access through the roadblocks.
Roadblocks will be at the following locations:
·- East River Road and just north of George Creek Road
·- Highway 89 and East River Road
·- Pine Creek Road, just east of KOA
The areas that changed to a pre-evacuation notice on September 3rd include the following:
·- Lower Luccock Park Road
·- Barney Creek Road
·- Pine Creek Road area
Residents (Luccock, Barney Creek and Pine Creek areas) will need to go to the Pine Creek Fire Station to check in with the Sheriff's Office before entering through the roadblock.
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 urged to limit driving between 8:00 am and 10:00 am and 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm because of increased fire vehicle traffic.
Residents should be aware that helicopters could still be flying overhead, as they are assisting firefighters on the ground on the southern and northwestern portions of the fire.
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
