Goose Fire Update 07/16/2021

July 16, 2021 - 8:30 a.m.

Size: 4,916 (infrared flight)

Percent Completion: 10%

Cause: Lightning

Resources Assigned:

• Total personnel: 261

• Engines: 13

• Hand crews: 3 type 1 hot shot crews, 1 type 2 initial attack crew and 2 type 2 crews

CURRENT STATUS:

Crews will "mop-up" areas of residual heat following the burnout along

the northeastern edge of the fire, securing that portion of the line. Crews

are scouting areas to extend existing handline west into Jackpine Road and

will begin work to connect constructed line between Jackpine Road and

the Meridian Creek area into the West Fork UTV trail. On the

southwestern flank, crews will work to keep the fire north of Trail #8388

by removing pockets of unburned fuel with isolated burning operations

and mopping up hotspots. Three additional crews arrived to the incident

yesterday evening and will join forces on the ground this morning.

Engine crews are patrolling and monitoring around structures and along

the constructed lines, completing small burnout operations as needed to

hold and secure the line and keep pace with the fire's movement.

With the clearer skies, helicopters will be available to assist ground crews

with bucket drops and with monitoring fire progression.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Gusty winds predicted with yesterday's warning did not materialize;

however, a thunderstorm, with gusty outflow winds, passed over the fire

in the evening hours.

Smoke should move out of the area today. Sunnier skies and higher

temperatures will begin a drying trend expected to last through the

weekend. Temperatures could reach 85 degrees in the fire area. Relative

humidity is expected to dip down to around 12%. Winds are forecast to be

8-15 mph from the southwest. There is a slight chance for afternoon

thunderstorms.

The drier, warmer conditions are expected to bring more active fire

behavior than we saw yesterday, with short crown runs, group torching,

and short-range spotting in areas with heavy concentrations of fuels.

CLOSURES:

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest announced extended area

closures to include the Antelope Prong boat launch and the Wade Lake,

Hilltop, and Cliff Point campgrounds. Refunds for reservations will be

processed by recreation.gov. The current closure boundary is likely to

expand, given recent fire movement. Official closure information can be

found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices.

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Campfires and stove fires (including charcoal barbecues and grills) are

prohibited in the area unless using permanent fire pits or fire grates within

developed recreation sites. Smoking, unless in a vehicle, a building, or an

area 3 feet in diameter cleared of vegetation, is also restricted.