Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek Fire Update - Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Incident: Pattengail Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 9/19/2007
Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek Fire Update
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 @ 10:00 a.m.
Rat Creek Fire Cause: Lightning started August 9, 2007
Containment: 60%
Location: 25 miles West of Wisdom, Montana
Estimated Fire Size: 25,327 acres
Committed Resources: 35 Personnel
Pattengail Creek Fire: Lightning started July 13, 2007
Location: 10 miles southwest of Wise River, Montana
Estimated Fire Size: 15,300 acres
Containment: 35%
Committed Resources: 4 Personnel
The Rat Creek and Pattengail Creek Fires: Firefighters are patrolling and putting out hotspots today. On the Pattengail Creek Fire a grader will be finishing the rehabilitation work on the contingency fire line. Incident Commander Dave Henson and his management team are headquartered at Wisdom.
Scattered showers are likely today, with mixed rain and snow after midnight. Fire will continue burning in the heavier downed fuels, which remain very dry despite recent precipitation.
Fire Restrictions and Area Closures: Established for firefighter and public safety.
The portion of the Rat Creek Fire closure in the Prairie Creek area has been opened to public use.
The open area is along Trail Creek Road (#106) from its junction with the Hogan Creek Trail (#9) to Gibbons Pass. From Gibbons Pass northerly along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail to its junction with the Hogan Creek Trail #9 and south along Hogan Creek Trail to its junction with Trail Creek Road (#106). The Hogan Creek Trail itself is closed. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is open from Gibbons Pass to the Hogan Creek Trail. The remainder of the closure area boundary remains unchanged. Managers continue to study the landscape and fire behavior to determine ways to open more areas to the public.
Portions of the Pattengail Creek Fire closure remain open for Day Use between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. These areas are in the Bryant Creek, Alder Creek, Meadow Creek, Harriet Lou and Doolittle Creek drainages. No camping is allowed in these areas.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place for the area. The restrictions allow campfires only in metal fire grates in designated campgrounds. Gas stoves are OK everywhere. Smoking is prohibited except in buildings, vehicles and areas cleared of vegetation in a three-foot diameter. No fires are allowed in rock fire rings, and no wood burning stoves are allowed in tents.
For More Information:
(406) 689-3915
http://www.inciweb.org/, or www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d/
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