Tuesday AM September 11, Pattingail Creek Fire Upd
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 9/11/2007
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: 4 Acres: 15,297 Containment: 35%
The Pattengail Creek Fire: Forest Service and County representatives have agreed that it is almost time for the removal of structure protection equipment that was placed on private property for homeowner protection when the fire represented a potential threat. The Pattengail Creek Fire is very unlikely to threaten private property. The work to rehabilitate contingency lines is continuing. An excavator will begin work today to assist in the rehab effort.
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.
One of the key topics for discussion will be the removal of structure protection equipment that was deployed around private residences during the fire. Landowners are urged to attend. Forest Service and County officials would like to schedule removal of the equipment with the landowners or their representatives.
Today's fire behavior: The fire will continue to back through heavier fuel concentrations beneath the canopies. The main area of heat is within Squaw Creek, this area will continue to spread until the area experiences an additional season slowing event. More smoke will be visible as the fuels burn more intensely due to drying out from the warm temperatures and low humidity.
Today's Weather: Sunny skies and warm temperatures from 66-80 degrees are expected with humidity ranging from 12-23 percent. Winds are forecast to be southwest 5-8 mph through noon, increasing to 10-15 mph in the afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Wednesday afternoon and evening.
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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