Black Mountain Fire Remains At 968 Acres

Current Size: 968 Acres

Current Containment: 0%

Resources Assigned:

Total personnel: 87

Engines: 6

Hand crews: 2

Heavy equipment: 6

Helicopters: 2

SUMMARY

The Black Mountain Fire acreage remains at approximately 968 acres. A

helicopter mapping mission will be flown today to get updated acreage. Fire

behavior continues to be light to moderate as temperatures and relative humidity

continued to dictate fire behavior. Smoldering, creeping and singe-tree torching

are the prominent behaviors being observed on the main fire. Significant fire

movement is not expected today as monsoonal moisture is in place around the fire

area, increasing relative humidity. Yesterday crews continued their strong work

in reinforcing indirect fire lines all around the fire. This work is to prepare in the

event that a backburn becomes necessary to slow the spread of the fire. Many

water pumpkins (tanks) were strategically placed around the fire yesterday to

support backburn efforts in needed. There continues to be no threat to any of the

indirect line.

Fire managers on the Black Mountain fire are using full suppression where

possible and confine and contain strategies to protect primary residences while

reducing the risk to wildland firefighters. Operation and planning staff will

employ tactics that are most likely to succeed in our current situation and where

the benefits are commensurate with the risk involved and are continually

evaluating the situation. They may change tactics based on new information and

fire behavior.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR TODAY

Crews, engines, helicopters, tenders and large equipment will work together today

to improve indirect lines as well as contingency lines. As indirect lines are

completed, firefighters will fall back and look at the need to improve contingency

lines. All lines will assist firefighters in slowing the main fire if it were to make a

major run toward any of the established fire lines.

Engine crews along the Skinner Meadows corridor will continue developing and

implementing a structure protection plan and scout for opportunities to minimize

any impact to private infrastructure and land should the fire grow.

WEATHER

Monsoonal moisture is in place over the Northern Rockies. This should result in

increased relative humidity’s and bring chances of possible rain or thunderstorms

through Thursday. These thunderstorms could bring outflow winds to the fire

area but increased cloud cover and relative humidity should moderate fire

behavior.

CURRENT CLOSURES

The public is reminded there are closures in place. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge

NF in association with the Salmon-Challis NF, issued a Forest Closure Order on

July 21, 2021, to include campgrounds, trails and recreation areas on all National

Forest systems land in the west Big Hole Valley (Beaverhead Range). Please visit

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/