Sawtooth Fire Update 9/26/12
Incident: Sawtooth Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/26/2012
Fire Information - Sawtooth
Wednesday, September 26, 2012 9:00 AM
Phone: 406-363-3556
Cause: Lightning
Detected: 8/30/2012
Location: 7 miles west southwest of Hamilton, Montana
Current size: 5,962 acres
Containment: 45%
Incident Commander: Roy Hall, Northern Rockies Type-II Wildfire Management Team
Resources: Air Support: (2) Type 1 helicopters, (1) Type 3 helicopter
Total personnel: 49
Situation: Chipping of the brush along roads and firelines are completed. The incident is using 2 heavy helicopters providing water drops over remote sections of the fire burning along Sawtooth Canyon's South Ridge. Rehab of the spike camp will begin today.
Air Quality: Unhealthy - Fire operations continue under a blanket of dense smoke from numerous fires in the Idaho area, including Mustang, Powell and the Porcupine Complex. The air quality in downtown Hamilton is unhealthy for sensitive groups. For updated smoke particulate measurement visit Montana air quality online at www.airqualitymt.gov
Weather/Fire Behavior: A warming trend over the area will continue building through the upcoming weekend. Smoldering and creeping fire behavior with areas of open surface fire is expected on the west flank within Sawtooth Creek and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
Management Actions: Continue suppression rehab efforts, mop-up, patrol, and monitor all fire lines. Continue bucket work on pre-identified priorities through Infra-Red technology.
Evacuations and Closures: Creek Trail #123, Roaring Lion Trail #124, and Canyon Creek Trail #525 are closed due to fire activity.
For more information on these or other wildland fires, and related information visit:
