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Alder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, and Black Mountain Fire Update August 19, 2021

Alder Creek

Size: 13,984 Acres

Containment: 15%

Location: 7 miles west of

Wise River, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 281


Alder Creek Fire: On Wednesday, the Beaverhead County Sheriff rescinded all

evacuations around Highway 43 and the Pioneer Scenic Byway; there are currently

no remaining evacuations in Beaverhead County. Structure protection will remain in

place. Firefighters will focus efforts on strengthening containment lines and

removing pockets of heat that remain throughout the fire. Much of this effort will

be concentrated in the Dino Creek Drainage near the Pioneer Scenic Byway and

Foolhen Ridge along the northwest portion of the fire.



Trail Creek

Size: 38,845 Acres

Containment: 26%

Location: 20 miles west of

Wisdom, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 239


Trail Creek Fire: Crews have worked hard to keep the fire from crossing Threemile Creek and

have successfully anchored containment lines into Gibbonsville Road. Structure protection

remains throughout the area, and smoke will continue to be visible once the inversion layer

lifts and the current weather system passes. Residents in Lemhi County in and near

Gibbonsville remain in a “Set” evacuation status. Crews will continue to improve control

lines and mop-up hot spots in and around Battle Mountain near the Big Hole Battlefield, and

Gory Creek on the southeastern portion of the fire.



Christensen

Size: 11,012 Acres

Containment: 15%

Location: 12 miles west of Wise

River, MT

Start Date: July 16, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 33


Christensen Fire: Minimal fire activity was observed on the Christensen Fire on Wednesday,

and similar conditions are expected today. Favorable conditions will allow firefighters to

access the northern perimeter of the fire and mop-up hotspots.



Black Mountain

Size: 1,042 Acres

Containment: 90%

Location: 13 miles south of

Jackson, MT

Start Date: July 17, 2021

Cause: Lightning


Black Mountain Fire: With containment of the Black Mountain Fire increasing to 90 percent,

and no fire activity observed for nearly two weeks, resources will continue to be reassigned

to other fires throughout the area. The Black Mountain Fire will continue to be patrolled,

and crews will look for and extinguish any remaining heat throughout the fire.



Fire Weather: Widespread precipitation across all four fires occurred over the past two

days, with total accumulation ranging from 1-4 tenths of an inch. This precipitation has

resulted in nearly 100 percent humidity recovery at night, causing minimal fire behavior and

favorable firefighting conditions. Today, temperatures will be warmer, with highs varying

from the mid-50s to mid-60s, with light winds at 5-10 mph out of the northwest. Minimum

relative humidity will be 50 percent. There is a 45 percent chance of precipitation today,

with an increase in precipitation occurring in the coming days.



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 for current conditions.

• 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, May Creek and Divide Bridge Campgrounds are closed.

• Forest Closure orders in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forests

are in effect for all three fires.


Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for SW Montana

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for Central Idaho







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