Pattengail Creek Fire Update 8/16
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/16/2007
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: 8,000 Acres
Estimated Fire Containment: 0%
Estimated Expected Containment: Unknown
Committed Resources: 34 total personnel that include 3 Engines, 2 Dozers, shared Helicopter, and fire support personnel
Structures Threatened: 0 Structures Damaged: 0 Structures Destroyed: 0
Fire Activity: The fire remains active due to low relative humidity and warm temperatures. Short crown runs and individual and small tree torching resulted in increased acreage especially along the northern perimeter of the fire. The fire did not cross any management action points (MAP's) but could continue to advance towards MAP4. An unstable air mass is expected in the area today bringing erratic winds that will contribute to the continued growth of the fire.
Events: An inversion created conditions that again filled the Big Hole Valley with smoke and prohibited aerial observation and mapping of the fire on Wednesday. The unstable air mass arriving today is expected to create active burning conditions.
Actions: Firefighters will continue working on contingency fire lines along Tie Creek Road. If conditions permit, aerial observation of the fire will be conducted today. Field Observers will also return to the fire to provide first- hand intelligence.
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: The Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek fires are now under the management of the Northern California Interagency Incident Management Team (NorCal Team II), under the leadership of Incident Commander Joe Molhoek.
Public Meeting: The next public meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm Saturday, August 18th, at the Wise River Community Center.
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