Rombo Mountain Fire Update 08 28 07 11:00 AM
Incident: Rombo Mountain Wildland Fire
Released: 8/28/2007
About 50 people attended the Public Meeting at the Sula Clubhouse Monday night. Southern Area Blue Team, Bitterroot Fire Use Management Team and cooperators gave updates on the Rombo Mountain, Rat Creek and Bitterroot Wildland Fire Use Complex fires and responded to questions from the public.
Fire Activity: Yesterday, a plume could be seen in late afternoon coming from the far southeast side of the Rombo Mountain fire in the Warm Creek drainage. Some fire activity occurred on the south side o f Shook Mountain, East Piquett Creek, and in the Three Forks area. In East Piquett, the fire was backing down to the creek. Firelines along the southwest side were holding well.
Actions: Air Ops used retardant and bucket drops on the Shook Mountain area yesterday and will continue today. A dozer line was put in from the 5731 road to the top of the ridge. Today crews will work to tie into the top of Shook Mountain. Crews monitored East Piquett; the terrain is too steep for hand crews. A hand line is in from the bottom of Piquett Creek to the saddle. Crews will continue to search for and extinguish spot fires. Structure protection readiness will be maintained.
Location: 16 miles south of Conner, Montana and 4 miles northeast of Painted Rocks Lake
Date and Time of Fire Start : July 31, 2007 at 1:40 pm Cause: Lightning
Cooperating Agencies: West Fork and Painted Rocks Rural Fire Departments, Ravalli County Department of Emergency Services, Ravalli County Sheriff's Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources, Sula Volunteer Fire Department, Darby Volunteer Fire Department and Corvallis Volunteer Fire Department.
Estimated Fire Size: 21,712 Acres Fire Containment: 0%
Committed Resources: 271 total personnel including 4 crews, 18 Engines, 4 Dozers, 5 Water Tenders, 1 helicopter, and fire support personnel.
Structures Threatened: 134 Structures Damaged: 0 Structures Destroyed: 0
Evacuation Status:
The following Stage 1 Pre-evacuations remain in effect:
- West Fork Road from Nez Perce Fork to Painted Rocks Reservoir.
- West Fork Road from Lavene Creek to Trapper Creek Job Corps Center.
- West of Highway 93 from the Conner Cutoff to the Sula Store.
- South of the Conner Cutoff to the West Fork Road and south of the West Fork Road to Trapper Creek Job Corps Center.
Fire Restrictions and Closures: Highway 93 and West Fork Road are open. The area closure remains in effect starting at the Forest Boundary on Road 49 (Piquett Creek Road) going northeast past Trapper Creek Job Corps Center; then following the Forest Boundary going southeast along Highway 93 to Lost Trail Pass and the boundary line with the Salmon National Forest, then following the Bitterroot National Forest Boundary going west to the Sula/West Fork Ranger District boundary. Continuing to the Saddle Mountain area; then southwest on Trail 606 to the junction with Trail 650; continuing south to Hughes Creek road (9630), continuing west to the West Fork road at Alta and then following the Forest Boundary north to the beginning. This includes Bitterroot National Forest System Lands east of the West Fork road. The area closure excludes Warm Springs and Indian Trees Campgrounds. Forest officials ask the public to cooperate with the closure for public and firefighter safety.
Visitors are reminded that southwest Montana is in Stage 2 fire restrictions which include no campfires or smoking outside of a vehicle or building - except in cleared, designated areas.
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Public Information Office
Rombo Mountain Fire
