Bear Creek Fire at 11,614 Acres & 70% Containment

CURRENT SIZE: 11,614 acres

CONTAINMENT: 70%

LOCATION: Lemhi Pass area (29 miles East of Salmon Idaho)

JURISDICTION: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES: Beaverhead County (MT), Lemhi County (ID), BLM, Montana DNRC, Salmon-Challis National Forest

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE: Resources assigned to the fire include five helicopters, two Type 2 IA crews, two Type 1 crews, and 262 total personnel.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY: Crews mopped-up and held the northwest area of the fire. On the northern, southern, and eastern flanks, crews worked to complete suppression repair and rehabilitation, pulling back berms and smoothing out the constructed firelines. Measurable precipitation fell over the fire area (.08 “on Lemhi Pass) last night, and relative humidity recovered to 94%.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: The forecast calls for cloudy and rainy conditions, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. There is an only a 20% chance of wetting rain greater than 1/10 of an inch. Temperatures are expected in the high 60s to low 70s, with relative humidity in the low to mid-30s. Stormy weather could bring erratic outflow winds from the northwest, with gusts expected up to 20 mph in the afternoon. Fire behavior is expected to be low, with isolated torching, smoldering, and interior burn-out of larger fuels. In the Bear Creek drainage and previously burned out areas, there is still potential for residual heat and fire activity. Winds over the fire area are highly variable due to topographic features, outflows associated with passing thunderstorms, and the proximity to the Continental Divide. The weather will be warmer and drier Friday and Saturday, followed by a dry cold front on Sunday.

TODAY’S PLANNED ACTIVITY: Crews will continue with similar operations as in previous days; the majority of resources will be working to coordinate and complete suppression repair and rehabilitation with resource advisors and private landowners. Demobilization of resources no longer needed will continue over the next few day, as the organization is downsized. Those resources will be available for reassignment to other fires.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. Any public using the roads near the fire area should expect heavy fire traffic; please drive slowly for safety reasons. Hunters should check Inciweb and/or call for closure information and maps. The fire is burning in timber/heavy fuels. These fuels will continue to dry out with low relative humidity. The area provides poor access and there is a lack of water in the immediate area of the fire. Crews will work to protect cultural and natural resources and other values at risk.

CLOSURES: Area, road, and trail closures are in effect. Refer to the “Closures” and “Photos” tabs of the Inciweb site for narrative descriptions and maps of all agency closures. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from its junction with Montana Highway 324 to Lemhi Pass. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic. There are no official evacuation orders associated with the fire.

---