09/07/12 - Daily Fire Update
Incident: Black Tail Ridge Wildfire
Released: 9/7/2012
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.
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.
A high pressure system is moving back into the area which will likely bring warmer temperatures, as well as the potential for inversions.
Crews have been able to hold and strengthen existing firelines around much of the fire perimeter, resulting in containment being estimated at 70%. In those areas, firefighters will be mopping up approximately 135 feet inward from the fire perimeter. Once mop up is completed, crews will continue to patrol along those containment lines.
Along the southeastern fire perimeter, difficult terrain and heavy fuels are hampering line construction. In this area, crews will install water pumps in East Fork Combest Creek and set up hose lines to help strengthen containment lines.
Closures: For public safety, the Lolo National Forest has closed access to several roads in the fire area, including portions of the East and West Fork of Combest Creek Road. In addition, a Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect surrounding the fire area.
For more info on the Black Tail Ridge Fire: Please contact Information Officers, Jennifer Costich, Lisa Keibler or John Hamilton at 406-826-7044.
