TRAIL CREEK
Location: 20 miles West of Wisdom
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 39,825 acres (IR mapping-9/1)
Percent Complete: 58%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 218
TRAIL CREEK FIRE:
Crews will address an area of intense heat in the Three Mile Creek area to limit potential
fire spread into unburned fuels. Crews removed excess water-handling equipment on the
Highway 93 corridor. They left all pumps and hose in tact in Gibbonsville. Heavy
equipment continues to process and haul material on the western side of the fire and
remove heavy fuels along the Tie Creek drainage north of the battlefield. Firefighters
reinforced handline along the Continental Divide and will hold and improve that line
today. Crews continue to implement the suppression repair plan, in consultation with
agency resource advisors. Helicopters will be available to assist ground crews with buckets
drops, as needed.
ALDER CREEK
Location: 7 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 14,185 acres (IR mapping-9/1)
Percent Complete: 24%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 150
ALDER CREEK FIRE:
Firefighters finished backhauling excess water-handling equipment along the Pioneer
Scenic Byway and heavy equipment finished the majority of the suppression repair work
in the area. A small excavator will be used to finish any remaining work. Crews continue
to implement suppression repair and monitor the large fuels smoldering in the interior of
the fire.
CHRISTENSEN
Location:12 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 16, 2021
Size: 11,206 acres (IR mapping-9/1)
Percent Complete: 20%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 1
CHRISTENSEN FIRE:
Scattered heat and visible smoke remains in the Trident Peak area, where pockets of fuel
continue to burn out within the perimeter. The fire is expected to continue slowly
backing into Bryant Creek under current conditions; however, no significant movement is
expected given the sheltered location.
WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Yesterday was a culmination of near critical weather conditions, with warm and dry
conditions and gusty winds up to 30 mph along ridgetops.
No moisture is predicted over the fire areas in the coming days, but fire activity is
expected to lessen somewhat, as predicted conditions offer a reprieve from recent days.
Temperatures are likely to be in the upper 60s to low 70s with relative humidity in the
mid-teens. Westerly winds will be lighter, with potential gusts to 16 mph. With these
conditions, fire activity is expected to be less vigorous.
The Three Mile Creek area continues to be the most active portion of the fire. The East
Fork of Nez Perce Creek was also active yesterday. Isolated tree torching and short uphill
runs are possible in the Three Mile Creek, Bryant Creek, and Trident Peak areas. Fire
behavior analysts do not expect movement of the fire to the west, given the steep terrain
and influence of the westerly winds.
Areas with scattered heat in Salix Creek, Gory Creek, and Teddy Creek continue to burn
out heavy fuels in the fires' interiors. These areas are sheltered from the winds and should
burn back onto already burned portions of the fire. The fire is having a hard time
becoming established enough to move around; no significant fire growth 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.
CLOSURES:
Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. The Big Hole National Battlefield
is closed until further notice. May Creek Campground is closed.
Closure orders remain in effect on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis
National Forests. The Salmon-Challis National Forests modified their closure area for the
Trail Creek Fire earlier this week. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has
modified their closure areas for all three fires, reducing the amount of Forest area closed to
public access due to safety issues and firefighting operations. Read the updated closure
orders and view area maps on the respective Forest websites.
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