Incident: Rugby Creek
Released: 7/24/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rugby Creek Fire
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Contact: Laura McConnell, Public Information Officer
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team A
Phone: 406-236-5704
Contact: Christine Romero, Acting Public Affairs Officer
Lewis and Clark National Forest
Phone: 406-791-7754
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Rugby Creek Fire Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Contact: Laura McConnell, Public Information Officer Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team A Phone: 406-236-5704 Contact: Christine Romero, Acting Public Affairs Officer Lewis and Clark National Forest Phone: 406-791-7754 |
Firefighters are continuing to build and reinforce the fire perimeter on the Rugby Creek Fire near Neihart Montana. In the past few days continued progress has been made in containing the fire and protecting homes in the area. Today's cooler weather and light rain showers helped suppression efforts and gave a much needed break to firefighters on the Rugby Creek Fire.
Approximately 80 firefighters are focusing their efforts on suppressing hot spots that continue to burn within the fire perimeter. "There is no imminent threat of fire to the homes in the area, however fire potential remains a concern." stated Incident Commander Don Angell with the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team A.
Structure protection specialists are in place and have been evaluating the homes in the fire area for hazards and mitigation measures in the case that the fire was to grow and threaten homes. Although the fire threat to these homes is currently low, residents are being asked to be cautious if in the area due to increased road traffic from incident personnel.
The following roads and trails remain closured on the White Sulphur Springs and Belt Creek Ranger Districts due to fire crews working in the area:
- Road #839 - Divide Road - from the junction of the Belt Park Connector Road to the junction of the Deep Creek Trailhead.
- Road #253 Dry Park Road
- Road #3384 - Big Timber Gulch Road
- Road #6435 - Dry Gulch Road located ¼ mile south of the Logging Creek Campground.
- Pilgrim Creek Trail - #304
- Deer Creek Trail - #305
- Timber Gulch Trail - #313
- Tobins Gulch Trail - #315
- Big Horn Trail - #336
- Balsinger Creek Trail - #343
- Taylor Hills Trail - #344
- Taylor to Placer Trail - #351
Rugby Fire Statistics at a Glance:
- Time/Date Started: 3:00 p.m., July 20, 2007
- Location: 12 miles W of Neihart in the Little Belt Mountains
- Cause: Lighting
- Fuels: Timber (litter and under story)
- Size: 210 acres
- Containment:16 %
- Resources Committed: 3 - Type 2 Crews, 1 Type 1 Hotshot crew, 6 - Engines, 2 - Water Tenders, Air Support provided from other fires in the area on an as needed basis; Approximately 80 firefighters working the fire.
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