Wednesday Sept 12th 9:00 PM Update- Tribes and Team Cooperating on Active Fire
Incident: Jocko Lakes Wildland Fire
Released: 9/12/2007
As a dry cold front visited the fire Wednesday, flames popped up at three spots high in the Jocko Divide. Two medium helicopters "did an excellent job" slowing those five to ten acres of active fire, said Bob McCrae, Fire Operations Supervisor of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Two air tankers also dropped retardant, to help prevent the fire from potentially growing to the west and south from Jocko Lakes. Much of the rest of the fire is cold.
McCrae identified three areas that will require more work on the ground: on the north side of Jocko Lakes in the wilderness, where fire is skunking around under trees; on the south side of the Lakes, where a crew will need to put in new direct handline right on the fire's edge; and in very steep terrain near Jocko Creek, where crews will either put in lines directly on the fire's edge, or prepare for an eventual small burnout conducted by helicopter.
Incident Commander Mike Wiederhold said, "We're maintaining readiness. We have resources doing rehab, but they're also available for fire suppression." A second hand crew, three more engines, and additional supervisors joined the fire today to work up by Jocko Lakes.
Stage 2 Fire restrictions remain in effect across western Montana, which has received almost no rain in several weeks of hotter than average weather. Dry grass is flammable all over. Any open flame is still prohibited, except for gas stoves. Smoking is still prohibited outdoors, except in areas cleared of all burnable materials. Chainsaw use is prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. daily. People in the woods should patrol for sparks and smoke for a few hours after using power equipment.
Information officers are visiting Seeley Lake classrooms, from preschool to elementary to high school, to let students share their perspectives on the fire.
WEATHER: A dry cold front moved across the fire Wednesday afternoon. High temperatures Thursday and Friday will be about 70 degrees, with warmer drier temperatures through the weekend. Minimum humidities reach 20%Thursday and just 15% Friday.
COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation; Bureau of Indian Affairs; Lolo National Forest; Missoula County Sheriff's Office; Seeley Lake Fire Department; Missoula Rural Fire; Missoula County; Montana Department of Transportation; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; National Weather Service.
