Fact Sheet for July 26, 2007
Incident: Garceau Wildland Fire
Released: 7/26/2007
Garceau Fire
Fact Sheet
Thursday, July 26, 2007 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Public Information Officers Terina Mullen and Jill Cobb
Message Phone: (406) 208-0934
What: Wildland fire, lightning caused
Started: July 24, 2007 at 11:13 a.m.
Location: Eleven miles southwest of Polson, Montana
Jurisdiction: Flathead Agency
Cooperating Agencies: Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Polson Rural Fire Department, Ronan Rural Fire Department, Lake County OES
Incident Commander & Team: A Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team (IMT), under Incident Commander Roger Kechter, assumed command as of 6:00 July 26, 2007.
Current size: 2,803 acres Containment: 40%
Yesterday's Activities: Crews held containment lines constructed by dozers on the southern and eastern flanks. Limited burn out operations were utilized on the southeastern section to remove fuel between the fire's edge and the dozer line. Structure protection measures were initiated for two structures near the eastern edge of the fire; these structures were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Residents have since returned to their homes.
Resources on Fire: The number of firefighters assigned to the incident is 204. Four 20-person crews, 1 helicopter, 14 engines, 13 dozers and 4 water tenders are assigned to the fire.
Today's Strategy: Firefighters will assess and prepare for opportunities to conduct burnout operations along the indirect dozer line on the northern flank. Securing this section of the fire is the highest priority due to high timber values and heavy fuels. Crews along the remaining fire perimeter will hold the existing dozer line and mop up hot spots approximately 70 feet into the black. Structure protection engines will identify and assess needs for structures potentially threatened by future fire spread to the northeast. Firefighting forces will preserve and protect cultural sites in the fire area.
Special Messages: Firefighter and public safety is always the #1 priority on any fire incident. Local fire managers report current conditions as the driest in 34 years; local fire managers report that fire conditions are about three weeks ahead of what is typically observed at this point in the season. National firefighting resources are spread thin due to significant fire activity in the West.
Prevention Messages: Stage II Fire Restrictions are in place. Campfires and open flames are not allowed. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, buildings and areas void of vegetation. Industrial operations are permitted during the hours between 1:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. only.
For further fire information, visit: www.inciweb.org
