Incident: Skyland
Released: 8/30/2007
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 | None |
Fire Containment | 75% |
Start Date | July 23, 2007 - 4:30 pm |
Cause | Lightning |
Incident Commander | Curtis Stanley |
Resources on the Fire | 4crews 1helicopters 1 dozer 2water tenders 5engines |
Total Personnel | 258 |
Est. Containment Date | unknown |
Cooperating Agencies | USFS NPS BIA Blackfeet Tribe Montana DNRC |
Landowners | USFS Blackfeet Tribe Private |
The process of "mopping up", line rehabilitation continued again yesterday. Crews did respond to active fire as it showed up in the afternoon. The planned transition meeting occurred and the Type 3 organization with Curtis Stanly as the Incident Commander, took shape. Demobilization of equipment and personnel continued.
Weather and Fire Behavior Forecast for Today:
A Red Flag warning has been issued for today over the fire area. The Incident Meteorologist on the fire issued the Red Flag because of the combination of expected high winds, low humidity, and a Haines index approaching level 5. Sustained winds of 20-30 mph, humidity of 15%, and the high Haines index are all indications that fire behavior will pick up. The Energy Release Components which have softened lately are climbing back up to previously high levels.
Today's Planned Actions:
Incident Command over the fire will formally change at 06:00 this morning. It is expected that single tree and even some group torching will be common with the predicted weather conditions. Crews, engines, and water tenders will be positioned to continue the work they have been doing plus be able to respond to increased fire activity. A favorable note was added that active fire on the south would be pushed toward the already burned areas, not beyond the existing perimeter. The helicopter will be repositioned today to operate out of East Glacier. Cost to date is $17,885,000.
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.
