Monday, August 27, 8 AM Update
Incident: Jocko Lakes Wildland Fire
Released: 8/27/2007
Monday, August 27, 2007 - 8 a.m. MDT Daily Update
Jocko Lakes:
- 34,930 acres
- 40% contained
- $21,635,124 costs
- 1,076 personnel
Ovando Point:
- 70 acres
- 100% contained
- $923,145 costs
- 42 personnel
WHAT'S NEW & EVENTS:
- A predicted inversion will keep smoke from dissipating and may impact air operations today. Expect cooler temperatures and decreased winds.
- A public meeting will be held at 8 p.m. tonight at the Seeley Lake Elementary School.
- Radiometric Airborne Mapping (RAM) flights will continue for the east and southern flanks.
- A decision will be made on a long-term strategy for the western flank of the fire.
JOCKO LAKES FIRE STATUS: The predicted cold front and associated winds were not as strong as expected on Sunday, with sustained winds averaging 25 mph on the north end of the fire. The fire was active with torching of trees and short uphill runs occurring. Heavy fuel loads and steep terrain continues to hamper suppression efforts. Yesterday, crews accomplished the following with support of helicopter water bucket drops:
- Cold trailing, hand line, mop up and containment of the hot spot on the N flank of the fire
- Patrolling and mop up on the E flank
- Finished line construction/improvement and continued with mop up on the S-SE flank
- Started line construction on the SW flank, tying in with existing dozer lines and snagged road systems in preparation for additional work.
Today, crews & equipment will continue with mop up and additional line construction on the N flank, gridding, patrolling and pulling interior hose on the NE-E flank; improving dozer line on the SE corner with small burnouts conducted as needed and continue with hand and dozer line construction from the SW flank working N.
A structure protection group remains in place in the Placid Lake area. Night shift resources are mopping up and patrolling along the eastern flank of the fire.
OVANDO FIRE STATUS: Yesterday was the final shift for crews working the Ovando fire.
RESOURCE CONCERNS: Historic lookout (Double Arrow), Native American cultural sites, fish and wildlife habitat, including habitat for grizzly bears, Canada lynx and bull trout.
SAFETY CONCERNS: Air operations, driving hazards, hazard trees, stump holes and bears.
FIRE FACTS: Started: August 3, 2007; Cause: Lightning; Location: west of Seeley Lake; Resources: 26 hand crews, 6 helicopters, 51 engines, 16 dozers, 28 water tenders, 2 camp crews, and 362 overhead.
WEATHER: Smokey in the morning, then mostly sunny with highs 61 to 65 ridges and 69 to 74 lower valleys. Rh 19-24% valleys to 23-27% ridges. Ridgetop winds W 8-12 mph and slope/valley winds 4-7 mph.
COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: Montana DNRC, The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Lolo NF, Missoula County Sheriff's Office, Seeley Lake Fire Department, Missoula Rural Fire, Missoula County, Montana National Guard, Montana Dept of Transportation, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
