Alder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, and Black Mountain Fire Update August 13, 2021

Alder Creek

Size: 12,427 Acres

Containment: 10%

Location: 7 miles west of

Wise River, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 375

Alder Creek Fire: Little fire growth was observed yesterday, with activity primarily

isolated to the Foolhen Ridge. Crews are making progress on contingency lines

along the northwest side of the fire near Bryant Creek and will continue to focus

their efforts there today. Helicopter operations between Stine and Deno Creeks

were a major focus yesterday and will continue today in an attempt to slow the

fire’s spread.

Trail Creek

Size: 36,380 Acres

Containment: 26%

Location: 20 miles west of

Wisdom, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 213

Trail Creek Fire: Movement on the Trail Creek Fire yesterday occurred on the north side of

the fire near Big Hole Battlefield and on the south side near Three Mile Creek. A drone

conducted an IR flight last night along Three Mile Ridge. This area remains a concern for

crews, however, the fire remains east of the drainage and crews watch closely for

continued activity. Reports of increased smoke and fire activity flowed in yesterday,

however, much of the activity seen over the past 24 hours has occurred within the interior

of the fire. Containment lines have been completed or near completion in the areas of

Hershey Ranch, Gibbonsville road, and Anderson Ridge and crews are ready to defend the

community and its resources should the fire begin to spread further.

Christensen

Size: 9,513 Acres

Containment: 10%

Location: 12 miles west of Wise

River, MT

Start Date: July 16, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 18

Christensen Fire: Yesterday the Christensen fire made a push into grasslands on the

northwest side of the fire, crossing Toomey Creek and moving into sage brush. Air and

ground crews worked diligently to get that fire calmed down utilizing multiple aircraft.

Today, suppression efforts will occur in the area of Bryant Creek in an attempt to prevent

further spread up the drainage, and crews will closely assess management action points as

the fire nears containment lines. Crews additionally will watch the Trident Peak area in

anticipation of the fire moving towards the Sawlog drainage.

Black Mountain

Size: 1,042 Acres

Containment: 75%

Location: 13 miles south of

Jackson, MT

Start Date: July 17, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 10

Black Mountain Fire: Containment is steady at 75 percent as no fire activity has been

observed for over a week. Contingency lines are complete should the situation change.

Firefighters will chip debris produced from road improvement work and will continue to

monitor the area.