Update for August 20
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/20/2007
Sawmill Complex
DATE: August 20, 2007 TIME: 8:00 am
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Glen McNitt
LEAD INFORMATION OFFICER: Pat Cross
PHONE: (406) 859-6003 6:00 am-10:00 pm
LOCATION: Rock Creek Drainage, 22 miles SE of Missoula, MT
JURISDICTION: Lolo National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest
AGENCIES: Clinton RFD, Lolo National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, Bitterroot National Forest, MT-DNRC, Missoula County, Granite County, Montana Dept of Military Affairs, NOAA, Anaconda Job Corps, Georgetown VFD, Philipsburg VFD
A community fire information meeting is scheduled for lower Rock Creek residents at the Elkhorn Lodge on Monday, August 20 at 7:00 pm.
A community fire information meeting is scheduled for upper Rock Creek residents at the Clark Ranch on Wednesday August 21 at 7:30 pm.
RESOURCES:
PERSONNEL: 466 ENGINES: 44 WATER TENDERS: 14 HELICOPTERS: 4
TOTAL ACREAGE FOR COMPLEX: 50,575 INJURIES TO DATE: 4 COST TO DATE: $8,555,505
On Sunday all fires were very active. No infrared flight occurred last night, due to cloud cover.
Wyman 2 fire - 33,356 acres: The Wyman 2 Fire spotted across Stoney Creek on the south side. Visibility kept firefighters from closely monitoring the fires' movement. Today's moderated conditions will allow firefighters to asses the spot fire and act on opportunities to control it. On the north end of the fire, crews will continue to scout for burnout opportunities to tie into the old Alder Burn. Firefighters are continuing structural protection. A public meeting was held at the Clark Ranch on Sunday, with 19 people in attendance.
Sawmill fire - 7,800 acres: The south end of the Sawmill fire was active Sunday as the fire spotted south of Welcome Creek and moved rapidly upslope. Fire also spotted east of Rock Creek and south of Ranch Creek. Crews on the northeast perimeter of the fire continued to assess and improve hose lays and worked to bring the fire down to containment and point protection lines. Helicopters were used for water drops in the morning before poor visibility shut down aviation operations. No retardant drops occurred yesterday. Firefighters will work to contain any spots that cross Rock Creek. The fire burned down to the footbridge at the Welcome Creek Trail and spotted across Rock Creek. Those spot fires are being assessed today. The north end of the fire is progressing towards Gilbert Creek.
Fisher Point fire - 9,419 acres: On Sunday, the southeast corner of the fire grew approximately ¾ mile wide by one mile. Winds from a passing cold front pushed the fire east towards Standish Creek. Firefighters continue securing perimeter protection zones around structures with sprinklers and hose lays. The Fisher Point Fire is expected to continue its movement in two fingers toward the East and Northeast.
Signal Rock 07 Fire - 300 acres: The Signal Rock 07 Fire is on the Pintler Ranger District and continues to be monitored from the air.
ROAD, TRAIL, & RIVER CLOSURES:
Due to mild, wet weather, the mandatory evacuation order issued Sunday for all of Rock Creek has been lifted. However, Rock Creek residents are still under 24-hour evacuation notice. Rock Creek Road is open to residents only. From Mile Marker 12 to Miller Flats Rock Creek Road is closed to all traffic, including residents. The alternate route for Miller Flat residents is along the Rock Creek to the south.
Yesterday's evacuation of the Upper Willow Creek area from Miners Gulch Road north, remains in effect. The Upper Willow Creek road is closed to all travel from Miners Gulch north.
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has closed portions of the Goose Gulch Rd. #4325, Otter Creek Rd. #8419, Miners Gulch Rd. #5156, and Upper Willow 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.
An additional road closure is in place in the Sand Basin Road to limit access to the Signal Rock 07 Fire. Contact the Pintler Ranger District office for details on the Sand Basin closure.
Trail #313 (Sapphire Divide) from the Skalkaho road to Sawmill Saddle has been closed.
The Skalkaho Road is not affected by these closures.
Due to water conditions and fire operations Rock Creek is closed to fishing from Skalkaho Highway Bridge to the Clark Fork River.
WEATHER: Today's weather will be cool and moist with increasing clouds, temperatures in the 50s to 60s, relative humidity ranging from 38-48%, and a chance of light rain after 2 pm.
