September 11, 2012 Evening Update
Incident: Pine Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/11/2012
Contact: Fire Information: 406-823-6079
Karen Tuscano 406-223-2028
Jeff Gildehaus 406-425-2563
DATE OF DETECTION: August 29, 2012
CAUSE: Human (under investigation)
CURRENT SIZE: 8,050 acres
CONTAINMENT: 51%
LOCATION: Pine Creek on the east side of Paradise Valley
AGENCY: Park County, Gallatin National Forest
IMT: Type III Incident Management Team, Greg Juvan, IC
TODAY'S ACTIVITY: Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity helped to keep fire activity minimal today. Helicopters put water drops on smokes that were seen this morning in the North Fork of Deep Creek. Firefighters were flown into the head of Davis Creek and mopped up the remaining hot spots. Helicopters dropped water on the Davis Creek spots to assist the firefighters. Firefighters will patrol and mop up on a few remaining hot spots inside the perimeter.
The team's Incident Command Post is located at the Loch Leven Fishing Access Site, which is closed to the public until further notice.
TOMORROW'S WEATHER AND PLANNED ACTIVITY: Tomorrow will be the same as today with high's in the mid 60's. Winds will blow from northwest at 15-20 mph, gusts to 25 mph. Firefighters in the head of Davis Creek should finish mop up tomorrow. Helicopters will drop water on hot spots to assist the firefighters with mop up and keep the fire in check in areas without containment line. Rehab of dozer lines is expected to be completed by the end of the day.
PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE: There are approximately 110 personnel assigned, including 2 crews, 5 engines, 1 water tender and 2 helicopters.
SPECIAL MESSAGES & OTHER INFORMATION: Fuels in the area are extremely dry and receptive to burning. People who are interested in viewing the fire are encouraged to use Mallard's Rest fishing access site on Highway 89, and refrain from stopping on East River Road. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will send out a notice when the Loch Leven Fishing Access Site reopens.
All pre-evacuation notices associated with the Pine Creek Fire have been lifted in all areas. The fire will continue to burn until it receives significant moisture, but fire and Park County officials feel that the risk of the fire impacting residents has decreased. People should expect to see smoke coming from the fire area for the next few weeks.
People are urged to travel slowly and cautiously with the increased fire traffic during the early morning and early evening hours, and school buses on the roads. Be sure to obey all traffic signs and drive defensively.
Residents should be aware that helicopters could still be flying overhead, as they are assisting firefighters on the ground.
Roads restricted to residents only include Deep Creek Road and Upper Luccock Park Road.
The area closure on the Gallatin National Forest is still in effect, including the Pine Creek Campground and Trailhead.
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area in order to safeguard aerial fire operations.
A Burned Area Emergency Response team will begin assessing rehabilitation efforts on private land tomorrow.
For further information, go to www.inciweb.org.
Visit the Park County DES website at www.parkcounty.org
