Wednesday August 22nd 12 Noon Update
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/22/2007
The fire showed little activity Tuesday, because of cool temperatures and higher humidity.
Small smokes are rising from many hot areas along the northwest and north sides of the fire. The fire's closest approach to the Wise River area remains on the ridge above the top of Osborne Creek.
Crews are opening a contingency line to stop potential fire spread, clearing a strip wider than a tree height and thinning forest for 120 more feet, from Bryant Creek east toward Teddy Creek, along the Tie Creek Road. A dozer, two feller-bunchers, two skidders, a masticator, saw teams and other resources are working. Field observers are monitoring the fire.
Management of the Pattengail Creek fire transfers Wednesday morning to a Type I National Incident Management team from the southern states. The Southern Area Blue Team, Incident Commander Mike Quesinberry, will also manage the Rat Creek Fire west of Wisdom, and the Rombo Mountain Fire on the Bitterroot National Forest southwest of Sula. The Blue Team already managed a 200,000+ acre fire this year.
When the team briefed crews this morning, "slow and steady" was the watchword. Safe and careful operations help firefighters work throughout the long season, yet crews are quickly developing contingency line in the Bryant Creek area.
Weather: Winds blow from the north at 5 to 15 mph Wednesday, shifting to east winds overnight. High temperatures reach the 70's. Breezy winds bring a slight chance of showers Wednesday and Thursday. The week ahead sees gradual warming and drying each day.
Public Meeting: At Wednesday's public meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Wise River Community Hall,
Trina Mullen of the Bureau of Land Management will share opportunities for fuels reduction grant
money for the community. The new management team will update fire operations and fire behavior.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: Tie Creek Road remains closed. Heavy equipment is constructing
a contingency fire line there. For public safety, Forest lands in the north half of the West Pioneer
Mountains, north of Lacy and McVey Creeks, have been closed. Southwest Montana remains in
Stage 2 fire restrictions which prohibit smoking outdoors except in cleared, designated areas, and
prohibit all open flame except gas stoves.
Http://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/ provides current road information. All highways are open locally,
including the Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway. Campgrounds there are beautiful this week.
