News Release 08/13/07 8:00am MT
Incident: Skyland Wildland Fire
Released: 8/13/2007
- Tuesday, Aug. 13, 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
40,028 acres
Increase since last update
208
Fire Containment
56%
Start Date
July 23, 2007 - 4:30 pm
Cause
Lightning
Incident Commander
Jeff Pendleton, PNW Team 3
Resources on the Fire
23 crews
6 helicopters
1 dozer
13 water tenders
27 engines
Total Personnel
884
Est. Containment Date
unknown
Cooperating Agencies
USFS
NPS
BIA
Blackfeet Tribe
Montana DNRC
Landowners
USFS
Blackfeet Tribe
Private
Yesterday's Activities:
Yesterday was a hot, windy day, with gusts recorded up to 64 mph. There was increased activity across the fire, with torching of unburned islands and fingers interior to the established fire line. The percentage of containment increased significantly as fire crews continued to control the perimeter. Firefighters continued using fireline explosives to build line along the south side of Two Medicine Creek. Rehabilitation efforts continued on the west end.
Weather and Fire Behavior Forecast for Today:
Warm and clear skies are anticipated on Monday. Relative humidities should be between 20 and 25% below 6000 feet, and 24-29% above 6000 feet. Winds should be west to south-west between 8-12 mph, changing to easterly in the evening. No significant problem fire behavior is anticipated.
Today's Planned Actions:
Fireline explosives will be used to build line on the south side of the fire today, where two crews will be camped out. Crews will continue to construct direct and indirect line on the north side of the fire, and rehabilitation efforts on the western and eastern flanks
Special Notices, Alerts, Restrictions & Evacuation Levels:
All entrances to Glacier National Park are open. U.S. Hwy 2 remains open with a speed restriction in the fire area, and short delays when helicopters fly over the highway. 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.
Evacuation Level 1 (notification) is still in effect for Little Badger, and Evacuation Level 2 (preparation) is in effect for the U.S. Hwy. 2 Corridor and Glacier Acres.
Visit http://www.inciweb.org/ and click on Skyland Fire for details, or call the ranger districts - Hungry Horse (406) 387-3800; Rocky Mountain (406) 466-5341.
The Bob Marshall Joint Fire Information Center has developed a website with combined information for fires in their respective area.
Prepared by: Information Section, PNW Incident Management Team 3
