TRAIL CREEK
Location: 20 miles West of Wisdom
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 39,305 acres (IR mapping-8/27)
Percent Complete: 58%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 200
TRAIL CREEK FIRE:
Heavy equipment crews completed the debris clean-up operation along the Highway 43
MDOT closure. MDOT re-opened the Highway 43 closure area yesterday afternoon.
Ground crews completed handline construction along the western flank near May Creek
and along the Three Mile Creek ridge; crews will improve this line and monitor for hot
spots. Helicopters assisted with bucket drops yesterday and will continue to be available
to assist today. Crews will continue mop-up operations and close monitoring of
remaining hot spots throughout the fire. Crews continue to work on a suppression
repair plan.
ALDER CREEK
Location: 7 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 14,112 acres (IR mapping-8/27)
Percent Complete: 24%
Cause: Unknown
Total personnel: 192
ALDER CREEK FIRE:
Firefighters continue to assess and backhaul excess water-handling equipment no longer
needed, monitor areas of heat on the fire, and assess suppression repair needs. Heavy
equipment on the northern side of the fire completed wood chipping operations and
will work on repairing roads used in suppression operations. Crews continue to monitor
the large fuels smoldering in the interior of the fire, south of Highway 43 and west of
the Pioneer Scenic Byway; no fire growth is expected.
CHRISTENSEN
Location:12 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 16, 2021
Size: 11,120 acres (IR mapping-8/27)
Percent Complete: 20%
Cause: Unknown
Total personnel: 14
CHRISTENSEN FIRE:
Heavy equipment resources will continue tree removal operations as weather and safety
permits. Scattered heat and visible smoke remains in the Trident Peak area. Forward
progression of the fire is not expected. The fire has stalled along the Pattengail Fire
footprint, which has served as a natural barrier for confining the fire.
TODAY'S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Yesterday's passing storms brought scattered light precipitation in some areas.
Consistent cloud cover blanketed the fire area, leading to a decrease in fire activity.
Clouds will linger in the area, clearing out this afternoon. Temperatures will drop into
the 60s in most of the fire areas with relative humidity at about 30-35%. Winds from
the west may gust up to 25 mph, with winds shifting to the northwest in the afternoon
hours.
The fires' interiors continue to burn-out, but perimeter growth is unlikely. Short-
ranging spotting is also unlikely, as the probability of fuel ignition remains at about
30%. Interior pockets of heat in the Harriett Lou Creek area will continue to burn, and
smoke continues to be visible in the Salix drainage with smoldering heavy fuels. A high
pressure system will move into the area this weekend, bringing higher temperatures and
lower relative humidity. The drying trend is expected to start Saturday, peaking in the
Sunday-Monday timeframe. As temperatures rise and relative humidity drops, fire
activity may increase, with an associated potential for short-range spotting from active
burning in the fire's interior. Fire behavior will likely increase in areas where the sun,
wind, and slope align (mainly in south to north drainages). Three Mile Creek drainage
has exhibited group torching and short-range spotting and will likely continue to do so
as the drying trend progresses.
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:
Southwest Montana - Stage 1
Central Idaho - Stage 1
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