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Writer's pictureJeremy Crawford

Alder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, & Black Mountain Fire Update 08/09/2021

Alder Creek

Size: 11,540 Acres

Containment: 10%

Location: 7 miles west of Wise River, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 380


Alder Creek Fire: Monitoring and securing line operations with structure protection and

work towards containment will continue today. Structural protection crews will continue

to monitor structures along the perimeter, and will be expanding preplanning operations

in the Bear Creek Road area. Heavy equipment will continue to work on opening up old road

system to strengthen strategic containment objectives.



Trail Creek

Size: 35,897 Acres

Containment: 23%

Location: 20 miles west of Wisdom, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 137


Trail Creek Fire: Crews continue to improve hand line along Anderson Ridge above Gibbonsville and work towards completing prep work along Gibbonsville Rd. Prep work and mitigation efforts continue in the Trail Creek and Anderson Road area with fallers, crews and heavy equipment working to complete contingency lines. Crews continue to monitor the area north of Big Hole Battlefield. Patrolling operations are ongoing along the entire perimeter.



Christensen

Size: 8,575 Acres

Containment: 0%

Location: 12 miles west of Wise River, MT

Start Date: July 16, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 18


Christensen Fire: Midnight Sun Hotshots completed their work in the Christensen Creek area

and will be moving to the north side of the fire to strengthen contingency lines. Fuel breaks and handlines continue to be constructed to tie in dozer line. Montana National Guard continue to work on improving and strengthening lines on the northwest side of the fire. Resources will continue work to mitigate identified threats by utilizing dozer lines in conjunction with natural features present to complete containment lines in the area.



Black Mountain

Size: 1,042 Acres

Containment:32%

Location: 13 miles south of Jackson, MT

Start Date: July 17, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Total Personnel: 52


Black Mountain Fire: Firefighters continue to monitor, patrol, and mop up the fire edge to ensure fire containment. Resources have completed contingency lines around the fire. No perimeter growth is expected.


Fire Weather Today: Today’s temperatures will be in the high 60’s to low 70’s. The low relative humidity could be at 15% percent with light winds of 15 from the west.



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 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 are in effect for all three fires.








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