Thursday Update, 8/9
Incident: Fool Creek Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 8/9/2007
Yesterday's Activities: Ten members of the 623rd Engineers of the Montana National Guard from Hamilton arrived Wednesday to staff road blocks. Winds reached their peak Wednesday morning, going from 36 miles per hour gusting to 20-30 mph to 15 mph by late Wednesday afternoon.
The two helitak firefighters left the now-controlled Baldy Bear fire Wednesday afternoon and hiked to Gates Park. From there they'll hike out on Thursday.
At Porcupine Creek the Fool Creek fire continued to burn the hottest, with individual trees and groups of trees torching. Helicopters dropped retardant on two spot fires above the Teton Pass ski area.
Weather and Fire Behavior forecast for today: A fire weather watch is in effect for Thursday. The forecast is for similar weather to Wednesday but with lighter winds. Temperatures in the 80s with winds from 8 to 14 mph with gusts to 20 mph are forecast. By Sunday we expect conditions to warm and dry. This could cause the fire to become very active and to move.
We expect the fire to become active Thursday afternoon in the Porcupine Creek basin. Spot fires could start ¼ mile out from the main fire.
Today's Planned Actions: Helicopters will continue dropping retardant in the Nesbit Creek area and to respond to any spot fires above the ski area. Lookouts will be posted above the Massey Tract, an area of summer cabins. Pumps will be run at Massey Tract, the ski area, and the Wrong Creek, Gooseberry, and Sabido cabins. The watchwords today are "Patience, patience." When the Fool Creek fire moves to areas where firefighters can safely engage it, they will.
