Morning Update 9.7.12
Incident: Sawtooth Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/7/2012
Northern Rockies
Incident Management Team
Tom Heintz,
Incident Commander
SAWTOOTH
DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Date: September 7, 2012 Time: 8:00 a.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: (2) Type I crews; (3) Type II crews
Air Support: (2) Type 1 helicopter ;(2) Type 2 helicopter ;(3) Type 3 helicopter.
Total personnel: 197
Injuries: 2 Cost to Date: $614,000
Fire Update: We went to bed under a star filled sky last night, and the sun came up to a clear sky this morning. It was a welcome relief from the smoke. The weather man told us this morning that the smoke will likely return today as high pressure begins to build over the area. The temperatures are forecast to be 55-60 at the elevation of the fire, and humidity of 25% with a downward trend beginning. Winds are predicted to be light and firefighters should have another day for good production on planned suppression actions.
The main focus on the north edge of the fire has been down in the rocks with helicopter retardant application. Much of this area has to be worked that way since getting firefighters there safely is not possible. There have been some "spots" of heat located on the west flank of the fire and they will be sought out and cooled as possible. Spotting action remains a concern since the fire spread will be a result of any spotting out of the main fire area.
The crew working in Sawtooth Creek has received the system parts to complete a hose lay and get sprinklers working to raise humidity on the steep south side of the fire. Roll out of burning materials is the concern there and the potential for fire spreading that way is extremely high.
Hand crews will begin to work from the south to the north along the contingency line planned along the lower elevation land below the fire. This area between the steep forested East side of Downing Mountain and the residential developed area is primarily on private land.
The information telephone line at the ICP is 406-363-3556. An information trailer on Highway 93 at Roaring Lion Road will be staffed from noon until 7 pm each day.
Closures: Sawtooth Creek Trail #123 remains closed due to fire activity.
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.
