Alder Creek, Trail Creek, & Christensen Fire Update 08/30/2021

TRAIL CREEK

Location: 20 miles West of Wisdom

Star t date: July 8, 2021

Size: 39,405 acres (IR mapping-8/30)

Percent Complete: 58%

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 220

TRAIL CREEK FIRE:

Crews "plumbed" the line along the western flank near May Creek and along the Three

Mile ridge, east of Anderson Mountain, as a precautionary measure. Helicopters supported

ground crew with buckets drops on the Three Mile Ridge to keep the fire "in check" in

the areas of isolated and group tree torching. They will be available for similar operations

today, as needed. Crews continue to remove hazard trees from the May Creek area, mop-

up smoldering fuels, and monitor remaining hot spots throughout the fire. Crews continue

to work on a suppression repair plan, in consultation with agency resource advisors.

National Guard crews are assisting with logistics and suppression repair operations.

ALDER CREEK

Location: 7 miles west of Wise River

Star t date: July 8, 2021

Size: 14,158 acres (IR mapping-8/30)

Percent Complete: 24%

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 176

ALDER CREEK FIRE:

Firefighters continue to backhaul excess water-handling equipment along the Pioneer

Scenic Byway, monitor areas of heat on the fire, and assess suppression repair needs. On

the west side of the Pioneer Scenic Byway, heavy equipment will work on suppression

repair. Crews continue to monitor the large fuels smoldering in the interior of the fire; no

significant fire growth is expected.

CHRISTENSEN

Location:12 miles west of Wise River

Star t date: July 16, 2021

Size: 11,161 acres (IR mapping-8/30)

Percent Complete: 20%

Cause: Lightning

Total personnel: 13

CHRISTENSEN FIRE:

Heavy equipment completed road improvements on Calvert Road Loop and will continue

hauling material out of the Bryant Creek area in the coming days. Scattered heat and

visible smoke remains in the Trident Peak area, where pockets of fuel continue to burn

out within the perimeter. Forward progression of the fire is not expected, although the

fire is expected to continue slowly backing into Bryant Creek when the winds and slope

align.

TODAY'S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Drift smoke from the Boundary Fire in Idaho may cause hazy skies in our fire areas.

Temperatures are expected to be in the 80s with relative humidity in the low teens.

Today's warming and drying conditions will be compounded with the introduction of

stronger winds. Southwest winds are expected to gust up to 20-25 mph this afternoon.

Poor overnight relative humidity recovery will result in an earlier and longer burn period.

Due to lack of humidity recovery and existing thermal belt locations, Three Mile Creek

fire activity continued throughout the night. This area will continue to be the most active

portion of the fire.

Areas of scattered heat in Salix Creek, Gory Creek, and Teddy Creek continue to burn out

heavy fuels in the fires' interiors. With the predicted southwest winds, these areas should

burn back onto already burned portions of the fire. No significant fire growth or spread

on the ground is expected.

SAFETY:

Highway 43 and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are open to through traffic. Slow down and

stay alert for firefighting equipment and vehicles, smoke, and downed trees. Motorists

should also watch for bicyclists, hikers, and vehicles operating at slower speeds.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

Public lands in southwest Montana and central Idaho are in varying stages of fire

restrictions. Check mtfireinfo.org and idahofireinfo.com for the latest information.

CLOSURES:

The Continental Divide Trail is closed from Rock Creek to Mussigbrod Creek.

The Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice.

May Creek Campground remains closed.

Closure orders are in effect on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National

Forests. Forest officials are consulting with fire managers to reassess and re-evaluate their

closure areas. The BLM has modified their closure area in association with the Alder Creek

Fire. All closure information can be found on the Inciweb pages and agency websites.