Update for August 25
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/25/2007
Sawmill Complex
DATE: August 25, 2007 TIME: 8:00 am
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Glen McNitt
LEAD INFORMATION OFFICER: Pat Cross
PHONE: (406) 859-6003 8:00 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 Sunday, August 26 at 7:30pm.
The Rocky Mountain Area Interagency Incident Management Team A will be arriving in fire camp today to begin shadowing the Northern Rockies team. A full change of command will occur at 0600 on Monday, August 27, 2007.
RESOURCES:
PERSONNEL: 628 ENGINES: 53 WATER TENDERS: 14 HELICOPTERS: 6
TOTAL ACREAGE FOR COMPLEX: 55,000 INJURIES TO DATE: 5 COST TO DATE: $11,302,906
A RED FLAG warning has been issued for the fire area from 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. for gusty winds in combination with low relative humidity that will precede the dry cold front expected to arrive Sunday. Gusty winds will continue on Sunday behind the front, but with increased humidity. Potential for significant active crown fire runs with long range spotting is high due to wind blown ignited embers. Potential for significant growth is high. Heavy smoke settling into the valleys will greatly reduce visibility. The potential for trees to be blown down is probable and may cause obstructions on roads within the fire area. A potential for mandatory evacuation exists for portions of the Upper Willow Creek and Rock Creek areas. Residents in these areas are strongly advised to take precautionary measures.
Wyman 2 Fire - 34,000 acres: Crews continue to work the spot fire south of Stony Creek. Fire continues to move downhill. The fire has the potential to cross Rock Creek and encroach further into BLM and private land, reaching the fuel break lines in upper Stony Creek. The fire could reach additional structures along Rock Creek and expand further into the Bitterroot National Forest.
Sawmill Fire - 10,300 acres: Fire continues to move north along Rock Creek towards crews that are positioned on the east flanks. The slop over east of Rock Creek has the potential for fire growth to the east. Crews will continue to assess further needs and implement burnout operations as weather and fire behavior dictate. Crews will continue holding, patrolling and mopping up from Thursday's burn. Crews will continue to assess structures in Miller Flats area.
Fisher Point Fire - 10,400 acres: The fire has the potential to expand further east towards Upper Willow Creek approaching Willow Creek Road and north to Ranch Creek. Yesterday, crews worked to secure the perimeter by burning out sections of road #4325. Extensive air support was used to mop up spots east of road #4325. Today crews will attempt to hold the fire west of road #4325. Air resources will be used to slow fire spread within the Elkhorn drainage east of Rock Creek. Crews may also have to implement perimeter protection activities. Heavy smoke is expected to occur in the upper portion of the valley and may extend into the low portion
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. It consists of several smoldering stump holes within an old burn.
ROAD, TRAIL, & RIVER CLOSURES:
Rock Creek residents are still under a 24-hour pre-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.
Upper Willow Creek (Granite County) residents are still under a 24-hour pre-evacuation notice. The Upper Willow Creek road is open to residents only.
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. (Granite County) #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.
Attention Hunters: Additional sections of the Lolo National Forest have been closed due to the current fire activity. Please check the Lolo National Forest website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo/ for the most up today closures before proceeding to traditional hunting spots.
WEATHER: Today will be mostly clear becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. Temperatures will be slightly warmer, between 70s to lows 80s. Winds will be out of the southwest with gusts up to 20mph. Relative humidity will range between 14% in the valleys to 24% on the ridge tops.
