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Writer's pictureJeremy Crawford

Alder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, and Black Mountain Fire Update 07/30/2021

Alder Creek

Size: 9,055 Acres

Containment: 10%

Total personnel: 271


Alder Creek Fire: Higher humidity on Thursday suppressed fire growth. On Friday, crews will be improving containment lines and utilizing strategic firing operations in the Alder Creek and

Bryant Creek drainages on north edge of the fire and Deno Creek and Stine Creek drainages on the eastern edge along Pioneer Byway. Engine crews continue structure protection for residences along Hwy 43 and Pioneer Byway.



Trail Creek

Size: 34,997 Acres

Containment: 0%

Total personnel: 192


Trail Creek Fire: On Thursday, higher humidity and water drops from a Type 1 helicopter helped minimize fire activity in the drainages west of the Continental Divide. On Friday, crews will continue to identify primary and secondary control lines and tie into previously completed fuel treatments above Gibbonsville. Engine crews will continue to support structure protection in Gibbonsville. Firefighters will improve the Lost Trail Rd on the northwest portion of the fire and the Foothills Rd along the southeast. Strategic firing operations will occur as needed.



Christensen

Size: 4,892 Acres

Containment: 0%

Total personnel: 18


Christensen Fire: On Friday, northeast winds will minimize fire growth to the north. Firefighters

continue to identify potential control lines using old roads, creeks, and previous fire scars.

Engine crews will continue structure contingency planning for private homes along Hwy 43

corridor.



Black Mountain

Size: 1,021 Acres

Containment: 0%

Total personnel: 75


Black Mountain Fire: The Southwest Area Team 1 assumed control of this fire today. Crews will be reinforcing indirect control lines around the fire. Engine crews are implementing a structure protection plan along Skinner Meadows Road.


Weather: Today will bring winds out of northeast 5-10 MPH with gusts to 20 MPH. Temperatures will vary from upper 70’s on Black Mountain fire to upper 80’s on the other fires. Relative humidly will drop to 15-25%. Although less than Thursday, there is a chance of thunderstorms again today with possible winds of 30-40 mph.



Major Closures:

Hwy 43 and Pioneer Byway remain open. Motorists are asked to slow down and be on the alert for firefighters, heavy smoke, and downed trees. Please check the Montana DOT Road Report website: MDT.MT.gov/travinfomobile for current status.

-Continental Divide Trail: Closed from Lemhi Pass north to Mussigbrod Creek.

-Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. North and South VanHouten, Miner

Lakes, Twin Lakes and May Creek Campgrounds are closed.

-Forest Closure orders are in effect for all three fires.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF: Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF Closures

Salmon-Challis NF: Salmon-Challis NF Closures



Smoke:

The MT air quality alert for Beaverhead County: http://todaysair.mt.gov

ID Air Pollution Forecast for Lemhi County: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map


Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect SW Montana: https://www.mtfireinfo.org


Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect Central ID: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/


Evacuations:

Beaverhead County Sheriff has Stage 2 Evacuation Orders in effect for Alder Creek Community, Southside of Hwy 43 from Alder Creek Road to Dickie Bridge, and the westside of Pioneer Scenic Byway from airport to Harriet Lou Road Beaverhead Sheriff

Lemhi County Sheriff has contacted threatened residences on west side of Trail Creek fire in Idaho and placed in “Set” evacuation status. Info: 208-756-8980.







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