Alder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, & Sand Lake Fire Update 09/08/2021

TRAIL CREEK FIRE: Size 44,254 Acres 58% Containment

A Red Flag Warning is expected today. Extreme fire behavior with large group tree

torching and long-range spotting is expected. Winds are predicted to be 30+ mph along

with record high temperatures and low humidity will create difficult conditions for

firefighters.

Crews continued to improve containment lines yesterday, in preparations of todays

weather event. Crews along with heavy air tankers used direct attack methods to combat

the blaze, holding the fire near Gibbonsville road. Log hauling operations continued on

the northwest side of the fire as well as the relocation of interior log decks.

ALDER CREEK FIRE: Size 30,875 Acres 24% Containment

The Alder Creek and Christensen fires have merged and will now be reported as the

Alder Creek Fire. Additional resources have been ordered.

Like the Trail Creek fire, a Red Flag Warning is expected today. This will create difficult

conditions for firefighters and aircraft. Additional surge resources have been brought in

to support the operations for the weather event.

Ground crews along with support from bucket drops continue to create and improve

containment lines along the southeast side of the fire. While most of the heat remains

interior, heat and activity increase to the western side of the fire, near Highway 43.

The fire has made it up Bryant Creek Road, near the intersection at the Calvert Loop.

Crews are working to secure the line along Bryant Creek road, focusing on keeping the

fire south of the road and establish contingency lines.

SAND LAKE FIRE: Size 154 Acres 0% Containment

The fire is established and active, growth is minimal, moving slowly along the side of the

mountain. Crews will continue to monitor the fire and evaluate values at risk.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Red Flag Warnings are expected on Wednesday. Extreme fire behavior with large group

tree torching and long-range spotting greater than 1 mile are predicted. Winds will be 30+

mph from the southwest/west combined near record temps and low humidity’s are

expected. Fire will continue to back towards Anderson Creek and Gibbonsville.

SAFETY:

Highway 43 and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are open to through traffic. Watch for

increased traffic, school has started in the local communities and hunting season is

ongoing.

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 Salmon-Challis National Forests, the Beaverhead-

Deerlodge National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management. View the updated

closure orders on the respective agency websites and the fires' Inciweb pages.