News Release 08/09/07 8:00am MT
Incident: Skyland Wildland Fire
Released: 8/9/2007
- Tuesday, August 9, 2007 · 8 a.m. -
Pacific Northwest National Incident Management Team 3 (PNW Team 3) assumed management of the Skyland Fire at 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2007.
Quick Fire Facts
Location
32 miles ESE of Kalispell, MT
Approximate Size
38,014 acres
Increase since last update
1,039 acres
Fire Containment
35%
Start Date
July 18, 2007 - 4:10 pm
Cause
Lightning
Incident Commander
Jeff Pendleton
PNW Team 3
Resources on the Fire
25 crews
8 helicopters
8 dozers
44 engines
18 water tenders
Total Personnel
986
Est. Containment Date
Unknown
Cooperating Agencies
USFS
NPS
BIA
Blackfeet Tribe
Montana DNRC
Landowners
USFS, Blackfeet Tribe,
Private
Restrictions
Please See Info To Left
Yesterday's Activities:
As fire activity slowed Wednesday, fire crews burned out fireline to Cooper Lake on the east end of the fire, and strengthened fireline
along the northeast corner of the fire, south of East Glacier. A public meeting drew 75 people to hear a fire update at East Glacier Lodge Tuesday evening. The PNW Team 3 assumed management of the fire from Washington State Incident Management Team 3. Over the last couple weeks, Dave LaFave, his Incident Management Team, and all the firefighters assigned to the Skyland Fire have done an outstanding job in making progress to suppress this fire while providing for the safety of both the public and firefighters. All the cooperating agencies and Incident Commander Jeff Pendleton, PNW Team 3, would like to thank Dave and his team for their outstanding leadership and commitment to working with the local agencies and public.
Weather and Fire Behavior forecast for today:
Partly cloudy with highs 76o F to 81 o F below 6,000 feet and 71 o F to 76 o F above 6,000 feet. A slight chance of dry thunderstorms in the late afternoon. Gusty erratic winds may accompany the thunderstorms. Humidity will be 22 to 26 percent below 6,000 feet and 27 to 32 percent above 6,000 feet.
Today's Planned Actions:
Continued strengthening of firelines along the northeast and east edges of the fire as crews scout lines on the southeast corner of the fire. Crews continue building line along the north end of the fire, south of U.S. Hwy 2.
Special Notices, Alerts & Restrictions:
All entrances to Glacier National Park are open. U.S. Hwy. 2 remains open with a speed restriction in the fire area. Visit www.nps.gov/glac for more information.
For fire restrictions, visit www.mt.blm.gov/fire/restrictions. Much of the Rocky Mountain Ranger District is closed to public use. There are closures in the Hungry Horse Ranger District as well. Please call the Ranger Districts for more information - Hungry Horse (406) 387-3800; Rocky Mountain (406) 466-5341.
Prepared by: Information Section, PNW Incident Management Team 3
