Moose Mountain Wildfire Fact Sheet
Incident: Moose Mountain Wildfire
Released: 9/9/2012
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest
Service
Lewis and Clark
National Forest
White Sulphur Springs
Ranger District
204 West Folsom Street
P.O. Box A
White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645
406 547-3361
FAX 406 547-6023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: September 9, 2012
Contact: Erin Fryer Phone: 406-547-3361
Fire Name: Moose Mountain Fire Start: September 8, 2012
Cause: Lightning Total Acres: 40 acres
Fire History: The Moose Mountain wildfire is located 7 miles southwest of Neihart, Montana on the White Sulphur Springs Ranger District of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The Moose Mountain wildfire was reported on September 8, 2012 by Porphyry Lookout at approximately 5:30 p.m. and is believed to have been caused by a lightning storm that traveled through the area last week. Sixteen smoke jumpers responded to the blaze, they have now been assisted by two engine crews and air resources.
Today's Operations: Firefighting efforts will focus today on attacking the fire from the air with helicopters, air attack, heavy air tankers, and heavy helitanker with the objective of impeding the fire's growth to the north and northeast. Ground resources will work to establish lookouts, communication, escape routes and safety zones, once LCES is established firefighters will turn their attention to building and securing anchor points and line construction along the east and west flanks of the fireline.
Tomorrow's Operations: Firefighters will work tomorrow on "beefing up" anchor points and continuing with line construction on the east and west flanks. Additional crews will be arriving throughout the day tomorrow to assist in suppression efforts. All firefighting efforts will be assisted by air resources, consisting largely of helicopter bucket work.
Air Resources on Fire: Air Attack, Heavy Air Tanker with Lead Plane, two Type 3 Helicopters, one Type 2 Helicopter, one Heavy Helitanker
Fire Weather: A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the fire area starting today, Sunday, and lasting through Tuesday. The Red Flag Warning has been issued for strong winds 25 to 30 miles per hour with potential gusts up to 40 miles per hour and low relative humidity's. Today's weather conditions are 69 degrees over the fire area with relative humidity at 17 percent, winds are out of the south southwest at 14 miles per hour with gusts up to 24 miles per hour. Conditions will be mostly sunny tomorrow, Monday, with a high near 67, relative humidity levels could be as low as 10 percent.
Area Closure: The Area starting at the junction of the Divide Road (Forest Road 839) with Highway 89 North then heading south along the west boundary of Highway 89, approximately 9 ¼ miles to the Jumping Creek Campground, then following the Forest Service boundary west northwest, approximately 6 miles to the Sheep Creek Road (Forest Road 119), then heading north along the east boundary of Forest Service Road 119, approximately 5 miles to the intersection of Forest Service Road 119 with the Calf Creek Trail (Forest Trail 724), then heading north northeast along the eastern edge of the Trail 724 approximately 1 ¼ miles to its junction with the East Fork of Calf Creek Trail (Forest Trail 722), then continuing along the southeast side of Forest Trail 722, approximately 3 ½ miles to its intersection with the Onion Park Road (Forest Road 586); then continuing east along the south side of Forest Service Road 586 approximately 3 miles to its intersection with the Divide Road (Forest Road 839), then continuing east along the south side of Forest Service Road 839 approximately 10 miles to the junction of Forest Service Road 839 and Highway 89 North.
Special Concerns: The Jefferson Division of the Lewis and Clark National Forest has entered into Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. This covers the Judith, Belt Creek, White Sulphur Springs, and Musselshell Ranger Districts. Stage 1 Fire restrictions means campfires and charcoal fires are only allowed at designated recreation sites and campgrounds. For more detailed information please refer to Lewis and Clark National Forest Jefferson Division Special Order, LCNF-2012-06.
The public and hunter safety is a major concern for the Moose Mountain Wildfire. Forest users are asked to take extra caution when recreating on the forest.
For more information please visit the Inciweb site at http://www.inciweb.org/.
###
