TRAIL CREEK
Location: 20 miles West of Wisdom
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 39,243 acres (IR mapping)
Percent Contained: 26%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 192
TRAIL CREEK FIRE:
Crews plan to start clearing the fire debris from the Highway 43 corridor today,
during the Montana DOT closure of the highway for bridge repairs through Friday
morning. Two Type 2 Initial Attack crews will begin constructing line along the
western boundary of the fire from the Continental Divide, northeast into May
Creek. This line will help slow the fire's forward progression in the area.

Firefighters continue to "mop-up" residual heat along the fire's perimeter and
closely monitor interior and perimeter hot spots. Should the projected drying trend
bring an increase in fire activity, the preventative work implemented by fire crews
will strengthen containment lines and decrease the probability of spread. Crews
will continue to maintain structure protection measures (water-handling
equipment like pumps, hose, and sprinklers) in the Gibbonsville areas.
Crews continue to work on a suppression repair plan in consultation with Tribal
officials and representatives from the National Park Service, Big Hole Battlefield.

ALDER CREEK
Location: 7 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 14,066 acres (IR mapping)
Percent Contained: 15%
Cause: Unknown
Total personnel: 109
ALDER CREEK FIRE:
The recent rain provided a much needed increase in fuel moisture, creating a lull
in activity. Suppression actions will be to work the fire where accessible to help
prevent the fire from impacting private property. Crews will continue structure
protection and look for opportunities to keep the fire from south of the Big Hole
River. Crews will proceed with patrol, monitor, and mop-up operations, as heavy
fuels remain a concern with continued drying trend this week. Log removal and
chipping operations will progress as weather and safety permits.

CHRISTENSEN
Location:12 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 16, 2021
Size: 11,089 acres (IR mapping)
Percent Contained: 15%
Cause: Unknown
Total personnel: 19
CHRISTENSEN FIRE:
Crews continue to monitor the threat to primary residences and agricultural
infrastructure along Highway 43 north of the Christensen Fire. The Sawlog Creek
area will be monitored closely in anticipation of drying fuels and potential
increased fire activity.

TODAY'S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Temperatures over the fire yesterday were in the mid to high 60s with a minimum
relative humidity around 30% and winds up to 25 mph. RH recovery last night was
approximately 50%. We will continue to see a drying trend emerge from the
weekend.
Today, southwesterly winds are expected to average 15 mph with gusts around
30 mph. Temperatures are predicted to be in the upper 60s to low 70s with
minimum relative humidity in the 20% range. Southwest winds will carry in smoke
from northern California, increasing the smoke cover in the area. The warming
and drying trend is projected into Tuesday and Wednesday, with precipitation and
cloud coverage moving in later in the week.

CLOSURES:
The Continental Divide Trail is closed from Rock Creek to Mussigbrod Creek.
The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice.
Campground Closures: May Creek
Forest Closure orders are in effect on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-
Challis National Forests.
Road Closure: Montana DOT will close Highway 43 from Wisdom to mile
marker 7.5 for bridge repairs. The closure is in effect from 6 a.m. on Monday,
August 23 until 6 a.m. on Friday, August 27.



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