Jocko Lakes Fire Daily Update Friday, August 17
Incident: Jocko Lakes Wildland Fire
Released: 8/17/2007
Friday August 17, 2007 Progress was reported this morning by firefighters working around the clock for more than a week under extreme weather conditions to contain the Jocko Lakes Fire. Although some increase in overall acreage occurred, containment reports nearly doubled compared to those earlier this week. Smokey skies and the fire's own column assisted firefighters by shading the area. Efforts on the eastern portion of the fire over the last few days were successful in holding lines and preventing spotting over those lines yesterday. Success was also reported on the southern end of the fire where both direct and indirect containment lines were constructed to secure the area. The Alaska Team plans to secure the fire to the west by connecting these lines to the previously burned (2003) Bowles Meadow fire area which contains far less fuel for the fire. West of Placid Lake crews continued to hold and improve lines where some slop-over occurred earlier this week. Crews working on the northwest part of the fire constructed both direct and indirect lines and conducted limited burnout operations preventing the fire from crossing into the Deer Creek drainage to the north once again. Today's efforts will focus on reinforcing yesterday's efforts. Today the team will assume command of the Ovando Point Fire located 13 miles northeast of the Clearwater Creek Junction. Evaluation is under way to determine resource needs and suppression strategies. WEATHER: Sunny, warm with maximum temperatures in the high 80's, 17% Relative Humidity, with upslope up valley winds 4-10 mph weather is forecasted in the fire areas. We ask for the public's cooperation in slowing down along Highway 83 in the Seeley Lake area to reduce the potential for vehicle accidents. COOPERATING AGENCIES: Lolo NF, Montana DNRC, Missoula County Sheriff's Office, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Seeley Lake Fire Department, Missoula Rural Fire, Missoula County, Montana National Guard, Montana Dept. of Transportation.
