Goose Fire Stands At 7,522 Acres Burned 78% Containment

Fire size: 7,522 acres

Containment: 78%

Resources assigned:

• 152 personnel

• 5 engines

• 2 helicopters

• 2 Type 2 handcrews

• 1 fire suppression

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Moderate conditions across the Goose Fire today helped firefighters make progress on a plan to corral its stubborn west flank. The Goose Fire grew 26 acres to 7,522 acres yesterday, and remains 78% contained.

Out on the line, firefighters focused their efforts on building and reinforcing dozer and handlines west of the fire, between the West Fork of the Madison River and Snowshoe Pass. As a key part of Incident Commander Gabe Holguin’s strategy to secure full containment of the Goose Fire, crews and equipment will continue working on these indirect lines for the next several days. Elsewhere on the fire, crews continued mop-up and suppression repair activities. Fire behavior overall remains moderate, giving firefighters time to fully prepare primary and contingency lines for future fire movement and planned burnout operations.

Monsoonal moisture and thunderstorms are predicted across the region today through Sunday, with the Goose Fire specifically forecast to receive wetting rains.

Cool temperatures, light winds, and high humidity during this period should

further quiet fire activity and aid firefighters.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest area closures and a temporary flight restriction remain in effect to protect public and firefighter safety during the Goose Fire. Stage 2 fire restrictions are also in place, prohibiting campfires and the use of stove fires and charcoal grills. Closure details are posted on the BDNF website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices and fire restrictions are available at http://www.mtfireinfo.org.

There has been significant public interest in the area closure affecting Cliff and Wade Lakes. The forest is continually re-evaluating area closures based upon fire behavior, weather, and proximity to burned areas. Closures will be lifted as soon as an area can be made safe for public access. Among other issues, fire-weakened trees pose a significant safety hazard which must be mitigated before an area can be reopened to the public.