Daily Update for August 2, 2007
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/2/2007
Sawmill Complex
DATE: August 2, 2007 TIME: 9:30 am
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Tom Heintz
LEAD INFORMATION OFFICER: Pat McKelvey
PHONE: (406) 859-6003
LOCATION: Rock Creek Drainage
JURISDICTION: Lolo National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
AGENCIES: Clinton RFD, Lolo National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, MT-DNRC, Missoula County, Granite County, Montana Dept of Military Affairs
RESOURCES:
PERSONNEL: 230 ENGINES: 16
WATER TENDERS: 4 AIR TANKERS: Available upon request
SITUATION: The Sawmill Complex at 4,460 acres is comprised of three lightning-caused fires: the Sawmill, 860 acres; Fisher Point, (actually located north of Hogback Point) 1,400 acres; and Wyman 2, at 2,200 acres. All are located south of the Mile Marker 124 fire on I-90. Sawmill and Wyman 2 is threatening an estimated 190 residential and seven commercial structures with numerous associated outbuildings. The infrastructure lies primarily along Rock Creek Rd. Retardant was again dropped on the southwest flank of the Sawmill fire to slow fire progression that could present a "hooked" movement toward Rock Cr. The firefighters that were airlifted into the Fisher Point fire remained there overnight and will work on control lines again today. Helicopter water drops were used on a spot fire associated with Wyman 2 to slow any progression toward Rock Cr.
A community meeting was held last night at the Elkhorn Ranch. Approximately 80 residents of the north Rock Creek area attended and discussed the plan being developed for the Sawmill fire. Details of the structure assessment and protection plan were explained. The Rock Creek homeowners group has established a citizen telephone number dedicated to local information concerning the fire and related concerns. The phone is being staffed by local volunteers and can be reached at 825-2120.
ROAD CLOSURES: Rock Creek Rd., beginning at the intersection with I-90, south to the intersection with state road 348. Stony Creek Rd. is also closed. The closure is being enforced to all but local residents and firefighting traffic. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has closed portions of the Goose Gulch Rd. #4325, Otter Creek Rd. #8419, Miners Gulch Rd. #5156, and Upper Creek Rd. #88. These roads are closed to all motorized vehicles, foot, bicycle, and horse activities for public safety due to fire activity.
ACTIONS PLANNED: The team continues to work and plan from a defensive operational posture with plans that include offensive tactics as opportunities arise on each of these fires. Structure protection and assessment continue along the entire Rock Creek corridor.
A community meeting is scheduled for the residents of the upper Rock Creek area for 7:00 pm tonight at the Clark Ranch. A meeting is also being scheduled for the lower Rock Creek area for Friday night, at 7:00 pm at the Elkhorn Ranch Lodge. Members of the Incident Management Team will be present to update the residents on the fire situation and discuss our planning to date.
Evacuation plans have been developed for both the Sawmill and Wyman 2 fires in conjunction with both the Granite and Missoula County Sheriff's if evacuation of the area becomes necessary.
Incident Commander Tom Heintz reminded the crews at this mornings briefing of the fire behavior possibilities and that "slow and steady, safe and sure" is the way we will proceed on these fires. Firefighter and public safety are the primary concern of all operations being conducted.
SPECIAL CONCERNS: The area contains archeological and historical sites, which are being identified; the Rock Creek fishery; the Welcome Creek Wilderness; and a wilderness study area.
WEATHER FORECAST: Sunny today with a high of 76-81; relative humidity in the mid-to-high teens. Winds are predicted to be 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. There is the possibility for afternoon thunderstorms. The unstable atmosphere over the fires may allow them to become plume-dominated, so the public should expect to see the columns develop in the afternoon.
Media requests for visits to the fires in this complex need to be coordinated with Incident Information by calling the Incident Command Post Information phone number, 406-859-6003.
Additional national fire information can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/
