Alder Creek, Trail Creek, And Christensen Fire Update 07/23/2021

Alder Creek

Current Size: 6,522 Acres

Current Containment: 3%

Resources Assigned:

Total personnel: 322

Engines: 16

Hand crews: 6

Alder Creek Fire: Today has the potential for increased fire activity due to the

higher temperature and lower humidity. Increased smoke is expected to be

visible today. Crews remain focused on improving containment lines and

protecting structures.

Trail Creek

Current Size: 24,435 Acres

Current Containment: 0%

Resources Assigned:

Total personnel: 147

Engines: 4

Hand Crews: 4

Trail Creek Fire: The fire is holding on Montana side of state border. Firefighters

will continue holding lines and working hotspots by improving existing fuel breaks

along the western fire perimeter. A high area of focus is continued work creating

a shaded fuel break along Anderson Road. Along the Continental Divide, crews

are focusing suppression efforts to keep the fire out of the Salmon-Challis NF and

protect the community of Gibbonsville. Firefighters will continue preparing

Foothills Rd on the southeast fire perimeter.

Christensen

Current Size: 229 Acres

Current Containment: 0%

Resources Assigned: 1

Total personnel: 1

Engines:

Hand Crews:

Christensen Fire: Fire is backing into Toomey Creek drainage. No structures are

threatened at this time. Firefighters are identifying control lines using old roads

and natural features such as creeks and old fire scars.

WEATHER: Red Flag warning to take effect today at 12:00 PM. Drier and warmer

conditions expected across southwest Montana today. Winds are expected to

shift to the western/northwestern direction and could gust to 25 mph. Hot, dry,

and windy conditions are expected across southwest Montana with westerly

wind gusting to 25 mph. Mostly sunny skies with smoke and haze around the

area.

Temp: Max 82-88 F; Humidity: 13-17%

Wind: WNW 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.

MAJOR CLOSURES:

• Hwy 43 has been intermittently opened and closed depending on fire

conditions. Please check the Montana DOT Road Report website:

MDT.MT.gov/travinfomobile for current status.

• Continental Divide Trail: Closed from Montana/Idaho border NW to Chief

Joseph Pass and NE to Trail 3062.

• Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. North and South Van

Houten, Miner Lakes, Twin Lakes and May Creek Campgrounds are closed.

• Forest Closure orders are in effect for all three fires. Visit the Closure Section

on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF and Salmon-Challis NF websites for specifics.

STAGE 2 FIRE RESTRICTIONS TO BE PUT IN PLACE 12:00 AM TONIGHT:

Interagency fire management officials in southwestern Montana will enact

Stage II fire restrictions effective midnight, Friday, July 23, 2021. Up to date fire

restriction information and a web-based map can be found at

https://www.mtfireinfo.org.