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
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