State Creek Fire Update

WHAT: Wildland Fire

DATE OF DETECTION: August 29, 2020

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: 2,354 acres

CONTAINMENT: 0%

LOCATION Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES OF THE FIRE: 1 Type 2 Crew from Oregon, 1 (10 person) Crew from the Kootenai National Forest, 1 (9 person) Smokejumper Module from West Yellowstone, 1 Water Tender, 1 Type 3 Engine from Jefferson County, 3 Forest Service Type 6 Engines and miscellaneous overhead totaling 70 personnel.

NARRATIVE: The State Creek Fire was caused by lightning on August 25th and went undetected until Saturday, August 29th. This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 2,354 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY: Yesterday’s cold front brought lower temperatures and some moisture to the fire. Crews patrolled the indirect lines around the fire and re-enforced them as necessary.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will be sunny and clear with highs in the low 50’s. North to northwest winds will be 6-9 mph. Tonight’s lows will be near 26°. The fire behavior will be low after yesterday’s moisture, low temperatures and high humidity.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES: Public and firefighters safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service issued a new closure order effective September 6, 2020. Please check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area. Smoke may be visible from Whitehall, Boulder, 1-90 and 1-15.

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