Thursday, August 30th 8 AM Update
Incident: Jocko Lakes Wildland Fire
Released: 8/30/2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 8 a.m. MDT Daily Update
Jocko Lakes:
- 35,195 acres
- 56% contained
- $24,001,464 costs
- 855 personnel
Ovando Point:
- 70 acres
- 100% contained
- $926,202 costs
- no personnel
WHAT'S NEW & EVENTS:
- A change in weather is bringing very low humidities, gusty winds and hot temperatures over much of the fire area, along with the potential for isolated dry thunderstorms in the evening. Fire behavior may become quite active under these conditions.
- Firefighters are conducting a burnout on the western flank today; smoke may be visible as a result.
- The public is invited to attend a helibase tour at Seeley Lake Airport on Saturday, September 1 from 12-2 p.m.
- Placid Lake water body opened 8/29. The Placid Lake State Park, including the campground, day-use area and public boat ramp is scheduled to open Friday, August 31st.
- A public meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at 8 p.m. at Seeley Lake Elementary School.
- The West Side Bypass Road is open to the public. Morning and evening closures for Riverview Drive and South Boy Scout Road have been rescinded. Placid Lake Drive and North Boy Scout Road are open to residents and those with legitimate business interests except from 8-9:30 a.m. and 8-10 p.m. due to fire traffic.
- Check the Lolo National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo/ for changes in area closures.
JOCKO LAKES FIRE STATUS: Although the fireline was slightly more active yesterday, crews were able to hold and improve containment lines. Mop-up continued on the northern and eastern portions of the fireline, and mop-up efforts on the NW and SW flanks were supported by helicopter water drops. Crews conducted hand and aerial burnout operations. Handcrews and mechanized equipment also continued to construct new line along the western side of the fire. Resources began rehabilitation of dozer lines located on the interior of the fire.
Heavy fuels and steep terrain south of Jocko Lakes on the west side of the fire continue to challenge suppression efforts. Resources will support line construction along the western flank with a 2-mile burnout operation. Containment lines on the southwest corner of the fire will continue to be improved to 100 foot standards, and will be supported by aerial resources. Mop-up to 300 foot standards will continue along the south and northwest corners of the fire. Crews will also continue patrolling and rehabbing the north and east flanks of the fire. Helicopter reconnaissance and air attack will provide monitoring of the fire.
OVANDO FIRE STATUS: An engine and a Lolo National Forest patrol plane is assigned to patrol the fire today.
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: Steep terrain, extreme condition, driving, snags, communications, heavy equipment and ATV use and bears.
FIRE FACTS: Started: August 3, 2007; Cause: Lightning; Location: west of Seeley Lake; Resources: 20 hand crews, 8 helicopters, 31 engines, 8 dozers, 25 water tenders, 1 camp crews, and 316 overhead.
WEATHER: Mostly sunny with late afternoon cumulus. High temps 80-85° ridges to 85-89° valleys. Rh 13-17% valleys to 12-16% ridges. Ridgetop winds SW 6-10 mph with gusts to 18 mph in the afternoon. Upslope/upvalley winds 6-9 mph. Moderate inversion breaking around 10 pm. Tonight partly cloudy with isolated evening thunderstorms.
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, Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Game Wardens.
