Monday Evening, Sept. 3, Pattengail Creek Fire Upd
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
The Pattengail Creek Fire continued to be active throughout this afternoon, particularly on the northwest flanks. The fire burned along a 6 mile perimeter backing toward the Big Hole Valley from the east. Helicopters and engines were strategically positioned to catch any spot fires.
Welcome to our new Incident Commander Diane Hutton who replaces Bob Lippincott. We thank you both for your leadership over the Pattengail and Rat Creek Fires.
Weather wise there's a predicted cold front coming in tomorrow which would mean the possibility of increased moisture in the afternoon and cooler temperatures.
Wise River Community Meetings: The next Wise River community meeting will be Wednesday, September 5th at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center.
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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