Alder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, & Black Mountain Fire Updates 08/02/2021

Alder Creek

Size: 10,624 Acres

Containment: 10%

Location: 7 miles west of Wise River, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 308

Alder Creek Fire: As the Alder Creek and Christensen fires continue to grow toward each other, crews work to complete indirect fireline from the northeast corner of the fires edge to the Christiansen Creek/Hwy 43 intersection. Engines will chip materials along Forest Road 73, maintain and exercise structure protection systems in the area, and enhance plans for primary, alternate, and contingency control lines and features.

Trail Creek

Size: 35,111 Acres

Containment: 0%

Location: 20 miles west of Wisdom, MT

Start Date: July 8, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 180

Trail Creek Fire: Scattered rain fell within the fire area on Sunday creating a hazardous work environment for fire personnel and causing work to slow. Today, crews will complete dozer line prep on the southeast end, continue road work and insert a third Timber Taskforce along the northwest perimeter. The Structure Group will prep the west side of Highway 93.

Christensen

Size: 7,911 Acres

Containment: 0%

Location: 12 miles west of Wise River, MT

Start Date: July 16, 2021

Cause: Unknown

Total personnel: 18

Christensen Fire: Crews continue preparation of indirect fire line both by hand and with heavy

equipment, complete chipping operations along Forest Road 73, and identify primary, alternate and contingency lines for suppression efforts. Dozers are making progress around the fire, how ever productivity may slow due to storms over the fire area today.

Black Mountain

Size: 1,038 Acres

Containment: 0%

Location: 13 miles south of Jackson, MT

Start Date: July 17, 2021

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 88

Black Mountain Fire: Crews will patrol the fire perimeter to address potential hotspots, strengthen and improve line, complete accountable property tracking, and identify needs for chipping operations. Firefighters continue to improve the Selway Creek Road to the east as well as prep the Snowshoe Hare Road with hand tools and heavy equipment such as masticators.

Weather: All four fires received moisture from storms over the area. Temperatures will remain in the mid-70’s with relative humidities of 40-50%. Expect thunderstorm activity and a flash flood warning this afternoon and through tonight.

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 four fires.

• Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF: Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF Closures

• Salmon-Challis NF: Salmon-Challis NF Closures

Smoke:

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

Idaho air pollution forecast for Lemhi County: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

Evacuations:

Beaverhead County Sheriff has Stage 1 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 residences in threatened areas on the west side of the Trail Creek Fire in Idaho and placed in “Set” evacuation status. Info: 208-756-8980.

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

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

management/fire-restrictions-finder/