TRAIL CREEK
Location: 20 miles West of Wisdom
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 40,459 acres (IR mapping-9/3)
Percent Complete: 58%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 161
TRAIL CREEK FIRE:
The fire continues to actively burn along the ridgeline between Three Mile Creek and
Smithy Creek. Three helicopters assisted with bucket drops and crews "plumbed" the area
with water-handling equipment to further secure the line. Hose lays and a sprinkler system
are in place along Forest Service Road #080; crews will extend the sprinkler system as
needed. Heavy equipment continues to process and haul material on the northwest side of
the fire. Crews continue to implement the suppression repair plan, in consultation with
agency resource advisors. An excavator will finish suppression repair work along Tie
Creek Road. Other areas of heat (Nez Perce Creek, Salix Creek, and Gory Creek) remain
active as large fuels continue to burn. The Salix Creek area has filled in most of the
unburned interior, creating a continuous edge. Fire activity in the Nez Perce Creek area is
expected to slow, as the fire reaches lower, sheltered elevations. A small column of smoke
was visible in the Gory Creek area yesterday.
ALDER CREEK
Location: 7 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 8, 2021
Size: 14,234 acres (IR mapping-9/2)
Percent Complete: 24%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 109
ALDER CREEK FIRE:
Smoke remains in the Teddy Creek area, as large fuels continue to smolder and burn out.
Heavy equipment is working on road repair in the Teddy Creek area. While no significant
fire movement is expected under the current conditions, crews continue to monitor the
area and check the functionality of pre-positioned water-handling equipment. Crews
continue to implement suppression repair and monitor the large fuels smoldering in the
interior of the fire.
CHRISTENSEN
Location:12 miles west of Wise River
Star t date: July 16, 2021
Size: 11,354 acres (IR mapping-9/2)
Percent Complete: 20%
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 1
CHRISTENSEN FIRE:
The west side of upper Bryant Creek is currently the most active section of the fire, with
dry heavy fuels driving fire movement. Crews are monitoring the area and preparing for a
possible strategic burn operation, if the fire continues to move towards existing fireline.
Northern progression of the fire into the Bryant Creek drainage is expected to slow due to
a lack of fuel continuity and has a high amount of young lodgepole pine.
WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:
There has been no measurable precipitation in the fire areas for 11 days, the longest
amount of time without moisture in over a month. The dry conditions, poor relative
humidity recoveries overnight, and the evening wind shifts from southwest to northwest
have resulted in an increase in fire activity. The fires have potential to progress about a
half mile a day in receptive fuels. With recent fire activity in the Bryant Creek area, the
Christensen and Alder Creek Fires may join together in the coming days. Where the fire
finds dry and receptive fuels, it continues to creep around.
Weather conditions are expected to be similar as the past few days. Temperatures will
remain in the low 70s with mostly light west winds, switching to north/northwest winds
in the evening. Overnight relative humidity recoveries will likely remain in the 30s,
which may result in a longer burn period.
SAFETY:
Highway 43 and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are open to through traffic. Slow down and
stay alert for firefighting equipment and vehicles, smoke, and downed trees. Motorists
should also watch for bicyclists, hikers, and vehicles operating at slower speeds.
CLOSURES:
Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. The Big Hole National Battlefield
is closed until further notice. May Creek Campground is closed.
Closure orders remain in effect. The Salmon-Challis National Forests modified their
closure area for the Trail Creek Fire earlier this week. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge
National Forest has modified their closure areas for all three fires, reducing the amount of
Forest area closed to public access due to safety issues and firefighting operations. The
Bureau of Land Management also reduced their closure area in association with the Alder
Creek fire. Read the updated closure orders and view area maps on the respective agency
websites and the fires' Inciweb pages.
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