Sawtooth Fire Evening Update
Incident: Sawtooth Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/5/2012
Northern Rockies
Incident Management Team
Tom Heintz,
Incident Commander
SAWTOOTH
DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Date: September 5, 2012 Time: 9:00 p.m.
Incident: Sawtooth Wildland Fire Information Phone: 406-363-3556
7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Sawtooth Fire is about 7 miles west southwest of Hamilton, MT
Approximate Size: 420 acres Containment : 5%
Incident Commander: Tom Heintz, Northern Rockies Type-II Incident Management Team
Resources:
Hand Crews: (1) Type I crew; (3) Type II crews
Air Support: (1) Type 1 helicopter ;(1) Type 2 helicopter; (1) Type 3 helicopter
Total personnel: 170
Injuries: 2 Cost to Date: $350,000
Fire Update: Fire behavior and fire history in this area has proven that these kinds of high altitude fires will attempt to come off the high terrain into the valley. This team is continuing the preparation of a plan to actively suppress what can be done with the fire as it sits, and the possible fire behavior that would bring it down Downing Mountain toward the east.
Suppression crews reported having a productive day in their respective efforts. 2 hand crews are working on the northeast edge of the fire having been flown in by helicopter. The water hose lay along Sawtooth Creek has been advanced about half the distance that is planned. That effort will continue with pumps, sprinklers, and attack hose lines being installed. Incident Commander Tom Heintz stated tonight that "we are aggressively fighting this fire where it is safe and operationally sound to do so."
A "Helowell" has been ordered and will be set up tomorrow. That addition will allow the use of a precise spotting of retardant and water by helicopter delivery, to support suppression where crews are unable to reach.
Winds today were light and from the west at 5-10 mph. A cold front will pass over the fire early Thursday morning. This will bring light winds of 3-8 mph from the east northeast. Temperatures on the fire will drop to the 60's with increased humidity during the day on Thursday. Increased winds could cause isolated and group tree torching and potential for spotting. Temperature and humidity will return to what it has been in recent days as a high pressure system returns.
An information telephone line has been established (406-363-3556). An information trailer is on Highway 93 at Roaring Lion Road and will be staffed from noon until 8 pm each day.
Special Concerns: New fire starts! Attention: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in effect for this area. Information on fire restrictions can be found at http://firerestrictions.us/mt/.
More Information: Visit Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/, email sawtoothfire@gmail.com or call fire information 406-363-3556.
