Monday AM , Sept.3, Pattengail Creek Fire Update
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 9/3/2007
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Melva Barton, Information Officer
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-Deer Lodge 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: 11 Acres: 13,825
On Sunday, both the Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek Fires were active.
The Pattengail Creek Fire was active throughout Sunday afternoon, particularly on the west and northwest flanks. Water drops from helicopters were used yesterday and will continue today. The fire is still several miles inside the Forest boundary and backing down slowly to the west and north. Additional resources have arrived and strategically placed. These resources include the Flathead Interagency Hot Shot Crew as well as five engines. Helicopters with buckets are also available if needed.
On the Rat Creek Fire, the north, south, and west sides stayed relatively calm with the east and northeast sides showing the most activity. Firefighters were able to complete 2000' of fire line and put in place hoses and pumps. Using engines and helicopters with buckets, firefighters were able to hold the east side of the fire within contingency lines in spite of the increased fire intensity. Much of the smoke visible in the valley was from interior burning as well as adjacent fires in the region.
Today's forecast calls for increasing temperatures and lower humidity. This will mean another day of active burning on both fires. Winds are also expected to increase. There is a possibility for cooler, moister conditions Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Red Flag Warning: The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area encompassing the Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek Fires effective Monday, September 3rd, from 1 p.m. till 7 p.m. A Red Flag Warning indicates that weather conditions exist for extreme behavior and new fire starts.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: 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-Deer lodge 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.
For more information on these fires check at www.inciweb.org.
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