Monday AM , Sepember 10 Pattengail Creek Fire Udate
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 9/10/2007
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Vance Persing, 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: 3 Acres: 15,297 Containment: 35%
The Pattengail Creek Fire continues to experience cooler weather which has reduced the fire's spread. The fire remains 2 miles from the Forest Boundary. In the weeks ahead, as the fuels dry out from warmer temperatures and lower humidity, additional smokes and some tree torching may be visible. Fire managers will be monitoring and will call in additional firefighting resources as needed. The Pattengail Creek Fire's growth potential is low and is very unlikely to threaten private property. The work to rehabilitate contingency lines is continuing.
Today's fire behavior: The fire will continue to back through the heavier fuel concentrated beneath the canopies, predominantly in the Squaw Creek area. This area will continue to spread until it experiences an additional season slowing event.
Today's Weather: Sunny skies and much warmer temperatures are forecast. Temperatures on the fire will range from 61-74 degrees. Humidity may get as low as 20%-29% in the afternoon, but will recover to 55%-75% at night. Winds are predicted to be out of the northwest, 6-10 mph.
Wise River Community Meetings: The Wise River Community Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 7:30 P.M. at the Community Center.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: For public safety, some forest lands in the north half of the West Pioneer Mountains may remain closed at least through September, until soaking rains come for several days in a row.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are currently in effect. Campfires are banned outside of designated recreation sites and smoking is prohibited except in buildings, vehicles, and areas cleared of vegetation in a three-foot diameter.
Great hunting areas remain open around the Beaverhead-Deer lodge National Forest in spite of the limited closures. 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.
For more information on these fires check at http://www.inciweb.org/.
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