Update for August 21
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/21/2007
Sawmill Complex
DATE: August 21, 2007 TIME: 9:30 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 upper Rock Creek residents at the Clark Ranch on Wednesday, August 22 at 7:30 pm.
RESOURCES:
PERSONNEL: 520 ENGINES: 56 WATER TENDERS: 14 HELICOPTERS: 5
TOTAL ACREAGE FOR COMPLEX: 54,100 INJURIES TO DATE: 4 COST TO DATE: $9,100,000
Due to cooler weather and higher relative humidity on Monday, fire spread was minimal on all fires. However, within the existing parameters, fire remained active under mature canopies. Today the fire will continue to smolder with occasional tree torching.
Fire crews will continue to take advantage of the cooler weather and higher relative humidity with direct attack on spots and areas where the fire has slopped over the fire line. Over the next 24 hours potential for growth exists due to the amount of uncontrolled line, however, significant growth is unlikely. Structure protection will continue with point protection strategies.
Wyman 2 fire - 33,500 acres: The spot fire on the south side of the Wyman 2 Fire near Stony Creek grew to 120 acres. Firefighters will continue to work the area with air support and hand crews building line around the fire. On the north end of the fire, crews continue to scout for burnout opportunities to tie into the old Alder Burn. However this section of the fire received wetting rains over the past two days and as result the fuels are not receptive to fire. Conditions permitting, burn out operations may happen on Wednesday. Firefighters are continuing structure protection.
Sawmill fire - 10,100 acres: Helicopters and ground crews will continue to work on the spot fire east of Rock Creek. The north end of the fire is progressing towards Gilbert Creek. Crews continued to assess and improve hose lays and will work to secure containment. Monday evening 60 people attended a public meeting at Elkhorn Lodge. Another public meeting is set for Friday, August 24, at 7:00 pm.
Fisher Point fire - 10,200 acres: Firefighters will continue to work spots east of 4325 Rd and hope to contain the fire to the west of 4325 Rd. On Monday, firefighters installed pumps and hoselays around structures. Today they will try to tie together the clear cuts with dozer line along the southeast corner to help protect homes and DNRC lands.
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.
The mandatory evacuation for Upper Willow Creek has been lifted. However, Upper Willow Creek residents are still under a 24-hour pre-evacuation notice. The Upper Willow Creek road is open to residents only. This is Upper Willow Creek in Granite County.
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 temperatures in the 60s to 70s, relative humidity ranging from 38-48% with mostly clear skies tonight and a drying air mass. A gradual warming and drying trend is expected over the next several days with another pacific system and associated dry cold front to impact the area this weekend.
