Pattengail Creek Fire Update, August 4, 2007
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/4/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Susan Zornek-Stevens, Information
Date: Saturday, August 4, 2007 Phone: 406-832-3178 (Wise River District)
Fire Start: July 13, 2007 Cause: Lightning
Total Acres: 3700 acres Containment: 25%
Location: Fire start was 11 miles southwest of Wise River, in the west Pioneer Mountains, about 40 miles southwest of Butte, MT
The Pattengail Creek Fire activity increased yesterday. It made two runs in the Northeast and crossed Reservoir Creek. These runs were associated with ridge top wind gusts of up to 25 MPH. The fire has been moving in the crowns of trees, and is approximately 1 mile west of a major rocky ridge atop Stine Mountain. We are using a heavy helicopter from Salmon Idaho today, to try and slow the fires progression, relying on the rocky outcrop as a natural fire break
The fire is still approximately 3 miles northwest of the Grouse Creek summer homes, and 7 miles southwest of the community of Wise River. Winds driving the fire are out of the Southwest, so fire advancement is predicted to be in a northeasterly direction.
The fire has burnt to within 1.5 miles of Management Action Point (MAP) 6 and 1.5 miles of MAP 9. The Long Term Management Plan developed for the Pattengail Creek Fire calls for an evaluation of tactical options once the fire reaches one of the Management Action Points (MAP). The MAP areas are not an automatic trigger point for evacuation, but rather a point to reassess the needs of the situation, and take appropriate action. The team is evaluating the situation and additional resources have been ordered. (Refer to map on http://www.inciweb.org/ )
Weather: A Red Flag Warning is posted for Southwestern Montana today. The dry and cooler air mass entering the area is bringing cooler temperatures. But with the entering drier air, expect humidity to remain similar to those experienced yesterday. Showers and thundershowers will once again form this afternoon, as the atmosphere destabilizes. Little precipitation is expected. Maximum temperatures today will be from 74-79. Humidity will range from 16-21 %. Wind will be from 15-25 MPH, with gusts of up to 35 MPH.
Public Meeting: The next meeting will be at the Wise River Community Center, tonight, August 4th, at 7:30 PM. Topics will include a talk on the Western Spruce Budworm and the Pine Bark Beetles, a presentation on propane and gasoline tank safety in regards to fire, and Joe Hickey will talk about Thermo-Gel and house shingle fire proofing.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place on public lands in southwest Montana. For public safety, the north end of the west Pioneer Mountains has an Area Closure.
Check http://www.inciweb.org/ or www.fs.fed.us/r1/bdnf/ for more detailed information.
