Incident: Garceau
Released: 8/1/2007
| Garceau Fire Fact Sheet
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Wednesday, August 1, 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, Bureau of Indian Affairs, 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: 75%
Yesterday's Activities: A steady 15 mph wind tested the fireline; however, surrounding ridges sheltered the fire and no spots crossed the containment lines. The last ½ mile of fireline was completed along the northwestern flank. This line will be reinforced over the next few days by ground forces. Air support was limited to occasional helicopter water bucket drops and a reconnaissance flight. A Type 1 skidgine and engines provided water, supporting mop-up operations on the ground.
"Spike" camps were utilized to keep crews closer to the fire area, making more efficient use of time for work operations.
Fire behavior included some isolated tree torching with predominantly ground fire. Along the fire perimeter, rehabilitation needs have been initiated.
Resources on Fire: The number of firefighters assigned to the incident totals 354. One helicopter, ten 20-person crews, 19 engines, six dozers and ten water tenders are assigned to the fire.
Today's Strategy: Crews will put the "finishing touches" on the direct line in the northwest corner, securing the line. A Palm IR (infrared) flight will be utilized to locate residual hot spots. As the mop-up operations move further into the timbered areas, crews will assess hazard trees to insure safe operations. Rehabilitation efforts will progress, as crews work to pull back the berms on dozer lines along the inactive portions of the fire. The potential for spotting, with embers landing on dry, receptive fuels, still remains a concern.
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. A two-hour patrol is required after cessation of such operations.
For further fire information, visit www.inciweb.org/incident/882/
