Daily Update for August 6, 2007
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/6/2007
Sawmill Complex
DATE: August 6, 2007 TIME: 9:00 am
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Tom Heintz
LEAD INFORMATION OFFICER: Pat McKelvey
PHONE: (406) 859-6003 6:00 am-10:00 pm
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, NOAA
RESOURCES:
PERSONNEL: 459 ENGINES: 34 WATER TENDERS: 13 HELICOPTERS: 2
TOTAL ACREAGE FOR COMPLEX:10,340 INJURIES TO DATE: 2 (reportable) COST TO DATE: $1,255,000
···Due to heavy cloud cover last night no Infrared mapping took place.···
Wyman 2 fire, 7,290 acres: The fire continued to expand yesterday with the majority of growth on the western flank. Short range spotting occurred with spotting of up to a mile predicted for today. Containment line around the Wild Rose and Williams Gulch subdivisions continued to be improved and strengthened throughout the night. Also, a significant effort completing fuel break containment line in the Stony Creek drainage again continued throughout the night. Williams Gulch and Wild Rose Loop subdivisions remain evacuated.
Sawmill fire, 1,570 acres: The northern flank was held in check by winds pushing the fire back on itself. Later, heavy westerly winds produced an ember shower east of the fire. A spot fire was detected across Rock Creek and immediately suppressed. Work continues with structure assessment and protection; crews continue to monitor the fire for suppression opportunities. 143 personnel are camped near this fire. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect. The Rock Creek homeowners citizen telephone number is dedicated to local information concerning the fire and related concerns; it is staffed by local volunteers and can be reached at 406-825-2120. Fire information is available at the Rock Creek Mercantile and the Elkhorn Ranch Lodge for area residents and the public.
Fisher Point fire, 1,480 acres: This fire is burning in a bowl and is protected from prevailing winds; however, fire did spread to the south yesterday. A crew of 16 will be flown in today to extend line on the western flank. Periodic air surveillance will be conducted to monitor fire activity and ensure the safety of the crew. The crew will remain on the fire for up to three days.
ROAD CLOSURES: Rock Creek Rd. beginning at the intersection of 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. The Montana National Guard is assisting with roadblocks and security efforts. The Skalkoho Road is not affected by these closures.
SPECIAL CONCERNS: Residents displaced by the evacuation orders due to threatening fire activity. Those who have evacuated will be allowed to re-enter the areas to recover items and check their property status for as long as this is safe. Personnel at the road closures will advise them of the time when they will need to be back out of the area. 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: Cooler temperatures and a chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms with ridgetop winds of 8-12 mph with gusts to 15. Thunderstorms may bring dangerous, unpredictable winds.
Media requests for visits to these 3 fires in this complex need to be coordinated with Incident Information by calling the Incident Command Post Information phone number, 406-859-6003. Information escorts will be provided. Personal protective equipment is required of all media entering the fire areas.
Additional national fire information can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/
