Madison Arm Fire Information
Incident: Madison Arm Wildland Fire
Released: 6/29/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: June 29, 2007
Contact: Erin Fryer Phone: 406-740-7005
Fire Name: Madison Arm Fire Start: June 27, 2007
Cause: Unknown Total Acres: 3,000 acres
Percent Containment: 5% Percent Control: 0%
Fire History: The Madison Fire is located two miles north of West Yellowstone on the Hebgen Lake Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest. The fire which started on June 27, 2007 from an unknown cause is under investigation. The fire size is estimated at 3,000 acres. Firefighters were able to keep the main fire south of the Madison River. Additional crews were stationed north of the Madison River to extinguish spot fires as they occurred. Helicopters focused their efforts on the east flank of the fire dropping buckets, while air tankers dropped retardant on the fire's west perimeter. Dozers concentrated on building fireline along the south across Madison Arm Road.
Today's Operations: Jess Secrest's Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team took over command of the Madison Arm Fire at 6 am this morning. Crews will use traditional anchor, flank and hold tactics. Dozers will work from the south end of the fire toward the lake shore. Additional crews will be working spot fires on the north side of the lake. A structure protection group will be assessing the wildland urban interface areas along the lake shores. In addition to fighting the fire, personnel will begin setting up the Incident Command Post located just south of the fire and north of the town of West Yellowstone. Additional firefighters will be arriving throughout the next several days to help battle the blaze.
Personnel on Fire: There are approximately 216 firefighters on the incident at this time. These crews include 2 hotshots crews, 3 hand crews, 6 rappellers, 6 smokejumpers, and various support personnel.
Equipment on Fire: One Type 2 helicopter, three Type 3 helicopters, 12 engines, 3 dozers, and 6 air tankers as needed.
Closures: The forest is implementing a Temporary Area Closure. The area closure will be bounded on the east by US Highway 191, on the north by the Rainbow Point Road, on the west by the South Fork Madison River, and on the south by US Highway 20. The Baker's Hole Campground is being closed. Yellowstone Village subdivision is on alert for evacuation.
*Note: The western gateway to Yellowstone National Park through West Yellowstone is open. Yellowstone National Park and West Yellowstone Montana businesses and facilities are open and preparing for the upcoming July 4th festivities.
Fire Weather: Temperatures in the West Yellowstone are expected to reach into the 90's again today. High temperatures coupled with single digit relative humidity levels will make firefighting efforts difficult. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon which could bring erratic winds.
Public Meetings: A public meeting will be held at the Community Protestant Church, 505 North Electric Street in West Yellowstone, at 7 o'clock pm tonight, June 29th. Topics to be covered include current fire conditions, fire operations, fire weather, as well as a question and answer portion.
Special Remarks: The Hebgen Lake Ranger District will enter Stage 1 Fire Restrictions today, Friday June 29, at noon. This means campfires are prohibited except in improved campgrounds, smoking is restricted to inside vehicles only.
Folks can also check out the Inciweb site at http://www.inciweb.org/ or the Gallatin National Forest website, www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin, for more information.
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