Pine Creek Fire Morning Update 9/12/2012
Incident: Pine Creek Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/12/2012
FIRE UPDATE
Pine Creek
Update: September 12, 2012 @ 9 a.m.
Contact: Fire Information: 406-823-6079
Karen Tuscano 406-223-2028
Jeff Gildehaus 406-425-2563
FIRE NAME: Pine Creek
DATE OF DETECTION: August 29, 2012
CAUSE: Human (under investigation)
CURRENT SIZE: 8,509 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
YESTERDAY'S ACTIVITY: Firefighters saw minimal fire activity yesterday throughout the fire area. The firefighters that were flown in to the basin on the ridge between Davis Creek and Deep Creek put out hot spots with the help of helicopter water drops. Near the North Fork of Deep Creek, firefighters continued putting out hot spots in areas they could get to safely. Firefighters found and put out hot spots in the Pine Creek Campground, and near the Pine Creek Falls.
TODAY'S WEATHER AND PLANNED ACTIVITY: Last night's humidity recovery was poor, only reaching near 30%. Today will remain cool and dry, with lighter winds than yesterday. The high is predicted to reach 68 degrees with a minimum relative humidity as low as 11%. The winds are out of the northwest at 8-12 mph, gusting to 18 mph.
Firefighters on the ridge between North Fork of Deep Creek and Davis Creek will continue to mop up hot spots, with helicopters assisting them with water drops. Helicopters will also be dropping water on hot spots in the North Fork of Deep Creek. On the south side of the fire, firefighters will patrol and mop up remaining hot spots near the Pine Creek Campground and the waterfall.
PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE: There are approximately 100 personnel assigned, including 2 crews, 6 engines, 3 water tenders 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 which is causing serious safety hazards. Loch Leven fishing access site on the Yellowstone River is now the location of the fire's Incident Command Post and is closed to the public.
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 closed to travel by the general public 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 (BAER) team will begin assessing rehabilitation efforts on private land today.
For further information, go to www.inciweb.org.
Visit the Park County DES website at www.parkcounty.org
