Sawmill Complex September 4 Update
Incident: Sawmill Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/4/2007
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team A
Don Angell, Incident Commander
Laura McConnell, Public Information Officer
Phone: 406-859-6003 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Website: http://www.inciweb.org/
ROCK CREEK RESIDENTS
MEETING SCHEDULED:
Friday, September 7
Elkhorn Lodge - 7:00 pm
A mandatory evacuation is in effect for Upper Willow Creek Road (Granite County) from the 8 mile marker north. The Upper Willow Creek Road (Granite County) is open to residents only.
Rock Creek residents are still under a 24-hour pre-evacuation notice. Rock Creek Road is closed to non-residents from Mile Marker 1 to the intersection with County Road 348.
Rock Creek Road is open to residents, from Mile Marker 12 to Trout Haven / Miller Flats (approximately Mile Marker 20). However, this section of road is subject to various restrictions or closure without notice depending on fire activity
Complex Wide: On Monday, the fires became more active as the inversion lifted and conditions became warmer, very dry, and windy. By late afternoon, the smoke from the fires in Idaho began to provide some shading on the fires and the winds slowed, reducing the burning intensity. While the fires continued to burn actively the rest of the day, fire spread was moderate with no escapes past the expected containment lines near residences. Much of the burning was, and will continue to be, in the interior of the fires. Today, clouds will be rolling into the area, with a cold front passing through in the afternoon. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms, extending into Wednesday. Conditions will be cooler and more humid, resulting in less intense fire activity. Winds may be gusty and variable, especially at ridges and in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Area closures remain in effect due to the hazards of falling trees, smoke, rolling rocks and increased traffic from fire personnel. Helicopters will continue to use water drops to cool critical areas of the fire. Aircraft will also continue to monitor the western portions of the fires.
Fisher Point Fire (14,316 acres, date of origin 7/28/07) had intense activity on the remote portions of the fire Monday, with smoke columns developing. On the east edge, the fire burned actively until the winds dropped. There were a few spot fires in the grass and willows west of Upper Willow Creek, which were quickly extinguished. A sprinkler system was set up along 1600 feet of the northeast edge of the fire to safely hold this line. Today fire personnel will continue to patrol for spot fires and mop-up hot areas along the perimeter near Upper Willow Creek Road. The potential for spotting on the east side of the creek continues to be a threat.
Wyman 2 Fire (35,017 acres, date of origin 7/29/07) was very active yesterday in the headwaters of Stony Creek. The fire repeatedly crept and spotted downhill, then made small uphill runs, resulting in a highly visible smoke column. There was no significant activity on the rest of the fire. Today helicopters may be used to cool the upper Stony Creek area. Crews will continue to monitor, mop up and patrol along Rock Creek and the lower part of Stony Creek.
Sawmill Fire (11,590 acres, date of origin 7/15/07) continues to back down slope toward Rock Creek Road. On Monday, there was active burning on the remote west end of the fire, creating a smoke column. The fire was also active to the north, but did not cross Chico Gulch. Today crews will continue to work on containing and mopping up the fire west of Rock Creek Road.
Sawmill Complex Statistics at a Glance:
- Date Complex Formed: July 31, 2007
- Location: 22 miles southeast of Missoula MT
- Cause: Lightning
- Fuels: Timber, litter, and grass
- Size: 61,216 acres.
- Containment: 22 %
- Cost: $17,200,000
- Resources: Crews - 4; Helicopters - 4; Engines - 17; Personnel - 410
The reallocation of resources between the three fires will be continuing as well as the release of excess resources.
In discussions with the three forests, there is agreement that complexity for this incident remains at the Type 2 level. Therefore an order has placed for a Type 2 team to replace Don Angell's Type 2 Team, who will be timing out.
The Montana National Guard is assisting with road blocks and security efforts. Fire Passes are being issued at road blocks to residents affected by the closure. To obtain a pass, residents need to provide proof of residency.
The Skalkaho Road is not currently being affected by these closures.
Due to water conditions and fire operations, Rock Creek is closed to fishing from the Skalkaho Highway Bridge to the Clark Fork River.
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 Bitterroot National Forest has closed Trail #313 (Sapphire Divide) from the Skalkaho road to Sawmill Saddle.
Attention Hunters: Additional sections of the Lolo, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, and Bitterrroot National Forest have been closed due to the current fire activity. Please check the National Forests' websites for the most up-to-date closures before proceeding to traditional hunting spots.
Lolo NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo/
Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d/
Bitterroot NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/
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