Pattengail Creek Fire Update 8/11/07
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/11/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joe Colwell, Information
Date: Saturday, August 11, 2007 Phone: 406-832-3178 (x211)
Fire Start: July 13, 2007 Cause: Lightning
Total Acres: 3900 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
Friday's cold front brought some increased fire activity as it passed over the fire. The gusty winds created several new, small spot fires in the northeast quadrant of the fire. The hand crew working in the area was able to build line around several spots and will continue working on the remaining ones. Specialized equipment, including a feller-buncher, arrived on the fire and will assist with the development of contingency lines in the Tie Creek Road area. Several resources assigned to this fire were used to assist with initial attack on other new fires in the area.
Weather: Today's weather is expected to be favorable for firefighting with lower winds and clearing skies. Surface winds are expected from 5-15 MPH.
Public Meeting: The next public meeting is scheduled for tonight, at the Wise River Community Center, at 7:30 PM. Fire managers will cover fire updates, new information on grants available for defensible space, and fire prevention techniques for homeowners.
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.
