Pattengail Creek Fire Update, 8/18
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/18/2007
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: 10,000 Acres
Estimated Fire Containment: 0%
Estimated Expected Containment: Unknown
Committed Resources: 57 total personnel that includes 1 Crew, 2 Engines, 1 Dozer, 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: Increased humidity and cooler temperatures helped calm the fire's activity yesterday. Short crown runs and group and individual tree torching was observed by field observers and from the air. The fire showed little movement in the Shaw Creek and Papoose Creek drainages. Fire activity today will be wind-driven especially in areas aligned with southwest winds. The fire in Osborne Creek drainage will be sheltered from the wind and will likely continue to back down the drainage in available fuels.
Events: Isolated thunderstorms passed through the area Friday afternoon bringing lightning, erratic winds and some rain. Red Flag Warnings are posted for today at elevations above 7,000 feet.
Actions: The entire perimeter of the fire was flown yesterday allowing fire managers to more accurately map the fire and assess its activity. Requests have again been made for air resources to work the section of fire that has moved into upper Osborne Creek. Thus far those requests have not been filled due to the demand, throughout the west, for limited air resources. Firefighters continue their work on the contingency line along Tie Creek Road in the Bryant Creek area. Field Observers are in place 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 north of the West Pioneer Mountains is in place.
Note: The Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway, Forest Road 73, remains open.
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 tonight, August 18th, at 7:30PM at the Wise River Community Center. Fire managers will be on hand to discuss fire activity and answer questions.
