Middle Fork Fire Information
Incident: Middle Fork Wildland Fire
Released: 6/25/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: June 25, 2007
Contact: Erin Fryer Phone: 406-740-7005
Fire Name: Middle Fork Fire Start: June 21, 2007
Cause: Lightning Total Acres: 1,062 acres
Percent Containment: 10% Percent Control: 0%
Fire History: The Middle Fork Fire started on June 21, 2007 and was caused from a lightning storm that traveled through the area on the evening of June 20th. The fire is located just east of the Three Mile Fence, and north of the Middle Fork Road in the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area. Fire crews were able to finish securing hand-line on the southwest flank of the fire. The blasting team was also able to finish using the Fire-line Explosives to "blast-in" the fire-line from the northwest corner down the west flank in order to tie in with the hand-line. Overcast skies and cloud cover helped increase relative humidity levels adding in suppression efforts.
Today's Operations: Crews will continue work on perimeter control along the south flank of the fire. Firefighters will conduct small burnout operations throughout the day in order to reduce fuel between the fire-line and the "black". Additional personnel will begin work securing the northern edge of the fire with hand-line. All the firefighting efforts will be supported with the helicopter.
Personnel on Fire: There are approximately 65 persons on the fire, including one Type 2 crew (20 persons), one 6 person blasting team, one 6 person helicopter module, and various other support personnel.
Equipment on Fire: One Type 3 helicopter, and two engines.
Closures: The Judith Ranger District of the Lewis and Clark National Forest has temporarily closed the Woodchopper Trail, #444, from Suicide Flats to Yogo Peak; the Main Middle Fork Trail, #825, from Suicide Flats to the private land; and the Morris Creek Trail, #435, from the trailhead to the intersection with the Woodchopper Trail. Other closures include Forest Road #6527, #6529, #6530, #6531. For more detailed information on emergency trail closure please call the Judith Ranger District Office at 406-566-2292.
Fire Weather: Scatter showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected Monday morning. Cloud cover will decrease in the afternoon and showers and thunderstorms will be isolated. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 50's to upper 60's. Relative humidity will range from 32 to 42 percent, down from yesterday. Winds will be from the west at 5 to 15 miles per hour increasing to 20 to 30 miles per hours in the afternoon with gusts up to 40 miles per hour.
Special Remarks: Remember fireworks are prohibited on the National Forest System lands. As you and your family are out recreating and/or camping do not leave any campfires unattended. When leaving your campsite remember to use your shovel and bucket to completely put out your campfire.
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