Incident: Garceau
Released: 7/29/2007
| Garceau Fire Fact Sheet
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Sunday, July 29, 2007 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Public Information Officers Terina Mullen, Jill Cobb and Rich Janssen
Message Phone: (406) 883-2403
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, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Department of Lands, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Incident Commander & Team: A Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team (IMT), under Incident Commander Roger Kechter, assumed command as of 6:00 a.m. on July 26, 2007.
Current size: 3,045 acres Containment: 50%
Yesterday's Activities: Unstable afternoon weather conditions resulted in increased fire activity. Despite these less than favorable conditions, fire crews kept fire spread to a minimum. Noted increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping. Progress is still being made on the northern flank of the fire where the terrain is steep, rocky and heavily forested. Helicopters dropped water to cool the fire and air tankers dropped fire retardant to slow the fire spread. On the remaining portions of the fire, crews held containment lines previously constructed by dozers and hand crews. Firefighters continued with mop-up operations approximately 200 to 300 feet into the black. Precautionary structure protection measures remain in place for homes in the immediate fire area.
Resources on Fire: The number of firefighters assigned to the incident totals 329. Nine 20-person crews, 19 engines, 6 dozers and 9 water tenders are assigned to the fire.
Today's Strategy: Securing the northern section of the fire remains a high priority due to cultural resources and high-value timber. Crews will continue to improve the existing fire line. Two "hot shot" firefighting crews will construct new line around active hot spots on the northwest corner of the fire. Weather forecasts are calling for gusty winds, hot temperatures and low relative humidity, resulting in more active fire behavior. The southern, western and eastern flanks are in patrol status; crews are checking for hot spots. Firefighting forces will preserve, protect and respect cultural sites in the fire area.
Special Messages: Firefighter and public safety is always the #1 priority on any fire incident. We ask the public to be careful and assist in preventing any new fire starts. Please continue to use caution when traveling on Buffalo Bridge Road; use vehicle headlights and avoid areas used by firefighting personnel. The public is also asked to use care at the intersection of US Highway 93 and the fairgrounds entrance road when traveling north of Polson Bridge.
Prevention Messages: Stage II Fire Restrictions are in place. Campfires and open flames are prohibited. 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
