Pattengail Creek Fire Update, 8/17
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/17/2007
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: 9.900 Acres Estimated Fire Containment: 0%
Estimated Expected Containment: Unknown
Committed Resources: 40 total personnel that include 2 Engines, 2 Dozers, a shared Helicopter, and fire support personnel
Structures Threatened: 12 including structures along Highway 43 on the west side of the fire in the area of Doolittle Creek and Squaw Creek
Fire Activity: The fire burned actively Thursday with sustained crown runs in Shaw Creek drainage, group torching and long range spotting. As a result, a large smoke column was visible from the Big Hole Valley in the afternoon. A second smoke column was also visible on the eastern perimeter that was from the fire's expansion into the uppermost portion of Osborne Creek. Active fire is approximately eight miles from the town of Wise River and is burning north. Today's cooler temperatures and slightly higher humidity is likely to produce less active burning but short crown runs and group torching may still occur. Conditions again favor the development of late afternoon smoke columns that may be visible from areas surrounding the fire.
Events: An unstable air mass moved into the area on Thursday afternoon bringing erratic winds and short, intense thunderstorms. Wise River received .23 inches of rain but the portable weather station near the fire recorded only .04 inches.
Actions: A flight over the fire allowed managers to see the progress the fire had made and more accurately map the perimeter of the fire resulting in an increase in total acreage Due to the fire's progress, Management Action Point (MAP) 9 is now implemented for the Osborne Creek area. This means that aircraft may be requested to initiate delaying actions, such as retardant or water drops, to slow the spread of the fire to the east and northeast. Firefighters are continuing their work on the contingency line along Tie Creek Road. Field Observers are now posted to provide first-hand information about the fire.
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 remain under the management of the NorCal Team II.
Public Meeting: The next public meeting is scheduled for 7:30pm Saturday, August 18th, at the Wise River Community Center.
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