Daily Update for August 8, 2007
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/8/2007
Sawmill Complex
DATE: August 8, 2007 TIME: 7:00 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, Anaconda Job Corps
RESOURCES:
PERSONNEL:502 ENGINES: 35 WATER TENDERS: 13 HELICOPTERS: 4
TOTAL ACREAGE FOR COMPLEX: 18,500 INJURIES TO DATE: 3 (reportable) COST TO DATE: $2,660,000
Wyman 2 fire, 13,770 acres: The fire reacted to weather and a column estimated at 37,000 feet was visible for a long ways with spotting over ¼ mile. Fire advanced to the north through the Wyman drainage; West to approximately ¼ mile from the Bitterroot Divide; and South into Stoney Creek. Spotting from the fire is a main concern and crews are keeping a watchful eye on that activity. The night shift last night continued following the fire along Rock Cr with the defensive tactics being employed to check any movement across the creek. They continued the work on the fuel break constructed in Stoney Cr to ensure the removal of the trees that have been cut. Wiliams Gulch and Wild Rose Loop subdivisions remain evacuated.
Sawmill fire, 2,730 acres: The fire was active as well throughout the day. Crews protecting the residential area employed the same tactics that we have been using now for several days, and followed the fire to the north into Sawmill Gulch. Smoke was extremely heavy in the developed area of Rock Cr this morning. Anyone with breathing difficulty or other health issues should consider temporarily leaving the area for health reasons. A "spike camp" for personnel assigned to the fire has been established as the "Elkhorn" camp. The mandatory evacuations for portions of the lower Rock Cr drainage have been lifted. Road closure advisory points will remain in place for all but residents of the area. The Rock Creek homeowners continue to provide an informational phone number for their residents to call and ask questions. That number is 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, 2,000 acres: This fire is actually still burning in a bowl and is protected from prevailing winds. There was some expansion to the southwest today and retardant was used to slow that movement. The crew that was flown in yesterday was needed for assistance on the Wyman 2.
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. The Willow Creek road is open but access is being controlled for informational purposes in case of rapid fire expansion in that drainage.
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: Temperatures are expected in the mid 80's, 20% humidity, but winds once again in the 15 mph with gusts in the 30 mph range.
Additional national fire information can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/
