Evening Update From Sawtooth
Incident: Sawtooth Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/9/2012
Northern Rockies
Incident Management Team
Tom Heintz,
Incident Commander
SAWTOOTH
DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Date: September 9, 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: 800 acres Containment : 5%
Incident Commander: Tom Heintz, Northern Rockies Type-II Incident Management Team
Resources: Hand Crews: (2) Type I crews; (5) Type II crews Equipment: (10) Engines, (2) Dozers, (4) Water Tenders
Air Support: (1) Type 1 helicopter;(3) Type 3 helicopters. Total personnel: 252
Injuries: 3 Cost to Date: $1,566,000
Fire Update: A stage 1 evacuation notice has been issued for the following area:
All residential and commercial properties West of Westside Road; South of Paradise Trail and Blodgett Camp Road; and North of North Gold Creek Loop. This means there is a high probability of the need to evacuate. Residents are responsible to make arrangements to move property and livestock. Some residents, primarily those with special health needs or other concerns, should relocate during this stage. The Ravalli County Emergency Operations Center has a public information phone number that interested parties may call; Ravalli County EOC 406-375-6650
Helicopter reconnaissance of the fire this afternoon experienced winds of 30 mph with gusts to 50 on ridge tops as the fire increased. Fire growth was seen in Sawtooth Canyon toward the creek bottom and down canyon to the east. Single and group tree torching were observed. The fire is expected to reach the creek tonight. Because of smoke and wind the helicopter was not able to get into Canyon Creek, but it is suspected some spotting may have occurred there on the North face of Downing Mountain.
Engines and crews will be lined out along the contingency line to provide structure protection. The Westside Road and those feeding off of it from Roaring Lion Road on the South and Paradise Trail and Blodgett Camp Road on the North will be closed to all but local resident traffic to provide for the public safety as they deal with necessary work they have to do in preparation for an evacuation order if it should come.
Weather is expected to continue the winds at 20-30 mph with gusts to 40 mph all night long over the fire area. The humidity is likely to pick up a little. There is also a fairly decent chance of a two day lull in the windy conditions. If that occurs it may provide an opportunity to take action on any spot fires that have crossed the ridge top into Canyon Creek.
National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Bitterroot Valley from noon to 9 pm on Sunday for gusty winds and low humidity.
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, Roaring Lion Trail #124, and Canyon Creek Trail #525 are 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. Ravalli County EOC has established a recorded phone line with current evacuation information at 406-375-6650.
