Incident: Madison Arm
Released: 7/3/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: July 3, 2007
Contact: Steve Till or Gary Hoshide Phone: 406-646-7103
Fire Name: Madison Arm Fire Start: June 27, 2007
Cause: Human Total Acres: 3,660 acres
Percent Containment: 90% Structures Lost: 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 started on June 27, 2007 from an undetermined human cause and remains under investigation. The fire size is estimated at 3,660 acres.
Monday's Fire Actions: Continue to improve and hold lines. Mopping-up 300 feet continued in all divisions.
Today's Operations: Continue to mop up all divisions.
Personnel on Fire: There are approximately 321 firefighters on the incident at this time. These crews include one hotshot crew and two Type 2 hand crews.
Equipment on Fire: One Type 3 helicopter, 34 engines, and 3 dozers.
Closures: Evacuation order lifted for all areas, including Madison Arm Resort, Lakeshore summer homes, and Horse Butte and Rainbow Point areas. The Temporary Area Closure has been reduced to south of the Madison Arm River and east of Madison Arm Road. The revised boundaries of the Temporary Closure Area are roughly defined by the Madison Arm River on the north, the Madison Arm road on the west, U.S. Highway 20 on the south and U.S. Highway 191 on the east. Baker's Hole and Rainbow Point campgrounds are open.
*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.
Fire Weather: A cool front passed through overnight leaving cooler temperature and higher humidity. Today will be sunny and warm with temperatures ranging 79-85 degrees. Humidity will range 24-29 percent. Slope and valley winds will be northeast around 5 mph in the morning then shifting to the northwest by afternoon. Ridgetop winds will be out of the west at 5 mph.
Public Meetings: None planned for today.
Special Remarks: Effective noon, today, July 3, 2007, the Hebgen Lake Ranger District will move from a Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to a Stage 2 Fire Restriction. The Stage 2 Fire Restrictions prohibit all campfires and limits smoking areas and chainsaw use.
Folks can also check out the Inciweb site at http://www.inciweb.org/ , www.bozeman.net/des , or the Gallatin National Forest website, www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin, for more information.
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