Incident: Garceau
Released: 7/30/2007
| Garceau Fire Fact Sheet
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Monday, July 30, 2007 9:00 a.m.
Contact: Public Information Officers Terina Mullen, Jill Cobb and Karen Sargeant
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: The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Polson Rural Fire Department, Ronan Rural Fire Department, Lake County OES, Sanders County, 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: Fortunately, the weather conditions predicted for Sunday did not materialize, with lighter winds reported from the fire area. Suppression efforts on the fire were greatly enhanced by support from retardant planes and large water-carrying aircraft. Because of this air support and the hard work of the crews on the ground, spot fires were "snuffed out" and fireline construction progressed. 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 302. Six 20-person crews, 20 engines, 5 dozers and 9 water tenders are assigned to the fire.
Today's Strategy: A weak cold front forecasted for this afternoon may bring slightly lower temperatures; however, associated gusty winds could prove challenging for firefighters. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Monday afternoon through Monday evening for gusty winds and low humidities. Firefighting efforts continue to be concentrated in the northwest corner of the fire. Crews will work to complete the last ½ mile of direct fireline to protect resources. Success is contingent upon continued availability of air resources and the weather conditions associated with the predicted weak cold front passing through the area. The steep, rocky terrain and dense timber stands continue to hamper containment efforts. Crews mopping up the remainder of the fireline will be assisted by water tenders and skidgines. (Skidgines are a combination of a logging skidder and a fire engine capable of carrying and dispensing water). Smoke columns may be visible in the fire area, as pockets of fuel within the containment line dry out and continue to burn.
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/incident/882/
