Pattengail Fire Update_08_26_2007 10:00 AM .
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/26/2007
Cause: Lightning Fire Start: July 13, 2007
Location: 10 miles southwest of Wise River, Montana, in the west Pioneer Mountains
Cooperating Agencies: Beaverhead County, Anaconda-Deerlodge County, Butte-Silver Bow County, Bureau of Land Management, MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, MT Department of Transportation, USDA Forest Service
Total Personnel on Fire: 38
New Information
Red Flag Warning Issued for the Pattengail Fire area: The National Weather Service in Missoula, MT has issued a Red Flag Warning for gusty winds and low humidity for the fire zones that encompass the Pattengail Creek Fire. This implies that the Pattengail Creek Fire could exhibit extreme fire behavior during these hours. Firefighters and the public are urged to exercise extra caution in fire areas and with the use of cigarettes and any open flame.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: Tie Creek Road remains closed as equipment works on the contingency line. For public safety, Forest lands in the north half of the West Pioneer Mountains, north of Lacy and McVey Creeks, may remain closed at least through September, until soaking rains come for several days in a row.
When hunting season begins, lots of other great hunting areas will remain open around the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The east Pioneers, the south side of the west Pioneers, Anaconda Range and Big Hole will all be open in the Wise River District alone.
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.
