Incident: Skyland
Released: 8/27/2007
Yesterday's Activities:
Quick Fire Facts | |
Location | 32 miles ESE of Kalispell, MT-Skyland Road, 3 miles south of Marias Pass |
Approximate Size | 45,760 acres |
Increase since last update | No IR flight |
Fire Containment | 70% |
Start Date | July 23, 2007 - 4:30 pm |
Cause | Lightning |
Incident Commander | Tom Heintz |
Resources on the Fire | 7 crews 4 helicopters 1 dozer 3 water tenders 8 engines |
Total Personnel | 362 |
Est. Containment Date | unknown |
Cooperating Agencies | USFS NPS BIA Blackfeet Tribe Montana DNRC |
Landowners | USFS Blackfeet Tribe Private |
The high wind yesterday resulted in fire activity along the southern flank as well as some interior burning. Crews continue to grid for spots, back haul excess equipment, and complete assigned rehabilitation. The community of Heart Butte is no longer considered to be threatened from fire activity. Personnel from this fire assisted Bureau of Indian Affairs with initial attack on the Depot fire south of Browning. The incident provided eight engines and two water tenders in that effort.
Weather and Fire Behavior Forecast for Today:
The day will start out cooler in the high 30's with a high temperature in the afternoon in the low 60s. The relative humidity will be in the 25%-30% range. The winds will be calmer today at 10-15 mph in the valley gusting 25 to 30 mph on the ridge tops. The outlook is for a warmer and drier period in the upcoming days.
Today's Planned Actions:
Crews will continue to patrol, mop up and perform rehabilitation activities on the north end of the fire. Equipment inventory and recovery of the numerous pumps and miles of hose that are on the fire will continue. On the south end, crews will continue to patrol the line from Red Poacher Creek to Runner Gulch and along Trail 101.1 west of Badger Guard Station.
Cost to date of the fire is $17.1 million dollars.
The lost dog we reported on yesterday morning was reunited with its owner yesterday afternoon. Camp personnel cared for the dog during its short stay with us.
U.S. Hwy 2 remains open with a speed restriction in the fire area. All entrances to the Glacier National Park are open. Visit www.nps.gov/glac for more information.
Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect for the area. 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.
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.
