09/05/2012 - Daily Fire Update
Incident: Black Tail Ridge Wildfire
Released: 9/5/2012
The Black Tail Ridge Fire is burning in the Combest Creek area on Montana Department of Natural Resources and Plum Creek Timber Company lands, approximately three air miles south of Plains, Montana.
High pressure in the area, which is expected to continue through the rest of the week, is creating heavy inversions that last until afternoon. This causes the fire's smoke to settle in the local area. As the inversion lifts in the afternoon, valley smoke should begin to dissipate into the higher atmosphere.
Little growth occurred on the fire Tuesday as crews, engines, dozers, single engine air tankers (SEATs) and helicopters were used to strengthen constructed firelines. Crews have started to mop up hot spots along the fire's west and northwest flank. Steep, inaccessible terrain on the south and east flanks will limit the use of heavy equipment. As a result, hand crews will work to construct fireline in those areas.
Rick Kusicko's Type II Northern Rockies Incident Management Team assumed command of the Black Tail Ridge Fire on Tuesday, September 4th at 6:00 a.m. The Incident Command Post for the fire has been established at the Sanders County Fairgrounds.
