DATE OF DETECTION: Thursday, August 20, 2020
CAUSE: Unknown
CURRENT SIZE: 8 acres
CONTAINMENT: 0%
LOCATION: 5 miles northwest of Polaris
JURISDICTION: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
COOPERATING AGENCIES: Beaverhead County, Montana
DNRC PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE: Resources assigned to the fire include 10 smokejumpers, a Type 2 hand crew, a Type 1 hotshot crew, eight engines, and 82 total personnel. Resources and helicopters from the Bear Creek Fire are also assisting, as needed.
YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY: Smokejumpers assessed the fire and located access to the area. Resources were able to create a fire line around the majority of the fire perimeter. Aerial support, including a sky crane and other helicopters, assisted beginning at 9:30 a.m. Three spots along the perimeter were active with smoldering fire behavior; however, the interior of the fire is fairly inactive.
TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Early morning fire behavior is expected to be slower due to the presence of drift smoke from the new fires in California; activity is expected to increase by the afternoon hours, with interior burning. Wind gusts are expected up to 22 mph, with relative humidity in the low to mid-teens and temperatures in the mid-70s. Dry and windy conditions are forecast through early next week.
TODAY’S PLANNED ACTIVITY: Crews will finish securing the line and begin mop-up of hotspots, removing any residual heat. Crews are expected to have the fire secured by this evening, and patrol status is likely for tomorrow. 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.
Comments