Pattengail Creek Fire Update 8/15
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/15/2007
FIRE UPDATE: Pattengail Creek Fire
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
August 15, 2007 @ 8:00am
Fire Information: (406) 832-3178 x211
Location: 10 miles northeast of Wisdom, and 11 miles southwest of Wise River, Montana
Date and Time of Fire Start: July 13, 2007
Cause: Lightning Injuries to Date: 2
Fuels: Timber (Lodgepole pine, Sub-alpine fir)
Cooperating Agencies: Beaverhead County, Anaconda-Deerlodge County, Butte-Silver Bow County, BLM, Montana DNRC, Montanta DOT, Forest Service (USFS), and local government
Estimated Fire Size: 7,200 Acres
Estimated Fire Containment: 15%
Estimated Expected Containment: TBD
Committed Resources: 68 total personnel that include 8 Engines, 1 Dozer, shared Helicopters, and fire support personnel
Structures Threatened: 0 Structures Damaged: 0 Structures Destroyed: 0
Fire Activity: Fire behavior has been active through the nights due to poor relative humidity recovery. Fire activity in Reservoir Creek (East Fork) is expected to remain active today. Firefighters reported major fire runs and spotting resulting in larger burned acreage. The fire was very active on the north and northwest perimeters. A smoke column that was able to punch through the inversion. The majority of the fire spread was to the north and northwest. The most active fire will be where slopes and winds align.
Events: Heavy smoke again covered the Big Hole Valley on Tuesday, but aerial observers were able to do recon on the fire in the later afternoon. Similar weather conditions are expected again today, but another dry cold front is expected to come through the area on Thursday, bringing extreme burning conditions.
Actions: Firefighters will continue working on contingency fire lines from Alder Creek to Bryant Creek. Helicopters will continue to assist firefighters on the fire spotting areas.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: Tie Creek Road remains closed due to heavy equipment being used in the area to construct a contingency fire line. Structure protection measures are continuing. For public safety, an area closure for the immediate fire area north of the West Pioneer Mountains is in place.
Visitors are reminded that southwest Montana is in Stage 2 fire restrictions which include no campfires and no smoking outside of a vehicle or building -- except in cleared, designated areas.
Evacuations: None.
Remarks: Early this morning, Northern California Interagency Incident Management Team (NorCal Team II), under the leadership of Incident Commander Joe Molhoek, assumed the management of both the Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek fires for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF.
Public Meeting: The next public meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm tonight, at the Wise River Community Center. The new Incident Commander will be available to discuss NorCal Team II's role in fighting the fire. Other topics will include a discussion of the signing procedures for structural protection as well as an update on the progress of the contingency fire line being constructed.
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