Trail Creek Fire and Alder Creek Fire Now over 6700 Acres Total

Alder Creek Fire

CURRENT SIZE: 1,380 acres

CONTAINMENT: 0%

LOCATION: 7 miles west of Wise River, SW of HW-43 JURISDICTION: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES: US Forest Service, Beaverhead County

The Alder Creek fire experienced significant growth yesterday, with isolated and group torching visible from Wise River. The fire crossed over Meadow Ridge into upper Harriet Lou Creek. Today’s weather shows cooler temperatures, light wind, and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Crews will continue implementing structure protection and constructing indirect and direct fireline. The Southern Area Blue Team, a Type 1 Incident Management Team, assumed command of the Alder Creek and Trail Creek fires this morning.

The Blue Team is based in the southern United States, however they have operated on numerous large fires throughout the country. In 2007, the Blue Team managed the Pettengill fire outside of Wise River. The team brings community based approaches to working and cooperating with local fire departments, law enforcement, local and state governments, as well as agency fire experts.

Facebook Message from Beaverhead County Sheriff

WISE RIVER RESIDENTS (west of the scenic byway and south of hwy 43 are under Pre-Evacuation NOTICE!

Please sign up for text alerts for fire updates and share this info with friends: https://local.nixle.com/signup/widget/i/7075

(Beaverhead County Sheriffs facebook will hopefully be fixed soon to help everyone with current info also)

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

THREE STAGES OF EVACUATION

STAGE 1-ALERT & WARNING There is a high probability of the need for evacuation. Law Enforcement personnel/representatives will attempt to make personal visits to each residence and business in the threatened area. Some residents, primarily those with special health needs or other concerns, should relocate during this stage of evacuation.

STAGE 2-REQUEST/ORDER AND SECURITY Evacuation is necessary in order to protect the lives of area occupants and emergency personnel responding to the incident. Law Enforcement personnel shall attempt to convey this order/request to citizens door to door, however, if this is not practical or possible this information may be delivered via a public address system from a patrol vehicle. Should the latter method be employed the personnel will activate emergency lights and sirens before and after the notification.

Roadblocks and 24-hour patrols by Law Enforcement will be instituted to protect property within the evacuation area.

STAGE 3- RETURN Occupants are allowed to return as soon as it is safe. Keep informed. The success of this guideline requires the cooperation and assistance of informed residents. Stay tuned to the local media outlets for updates. Listen and ask questions when an emergency service representative contacts you. Plan ahead. Preplanning can help you avoid last-minute frustrations. Plan where you will go and WHAT YOU WILL TAKE when you evacuate.

Trail Creek Fire

CURRENT SIZE: 5383 acre

CONTAINMENT: 0%

LOCATION 45°46.790 x 113°03.630 SW of Hwy 43 in Meadow Creek Area

JURISDICTION: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES: US Forest Service, Beaverhead County, Bureau of Land Management

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCE ASSIGNED: 4 engines, 2 Type 2 Initial Attack (IA) crew, 1 helicopter 1 dozer, 2 Heavy Equipment Task Force, 1 Wild Fire Management Module and miscellaneous supportunder Type 1 Incident Management Team.

NARRATIVE: The fire grew to 5383 yesterday. Due to the continued hot and dry weather with gusty winds, the fire actively burned with numerous spot fires. The Southern Area Blue, Type I Incident Management Team will assume management of the Alder Creek and Trail Creek Fires on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 13. The team is based in the southern United States, but like all other Type 1 teams in the country, they are similarly qualified and have operated on numerous large fires throughout the country, including Montana. The Blue Team brings community-based approaches to working and cooperating with local fire departments, law enforcement, local and state governments, as well as agency fire experts. Their logistical expertise is required to build a base camp that will give firefighters the support needed for meals, health and safety, rest, and tools and equipment. They also bring technical capabilities with advanced community outreach and information sharing, mapping, aviation resources, heavy equipment, and strategies to contain and suppress the fires.

TODAY’S PLAN: Limit fire spread to the east utilizing indirect suppressions tactics and existing natural barriers. Protect May Creek and Hogan Cabins. Asses at risk external values with neighboring forests. Limit hazard exposure to personnel and public.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today’s winds will be from the northwest 7-12 mph, with gusts up to 18 this afternoon. There will be a slight chance for afternoon thunderstorms in the area that will be capable of producing gusty erratic winds up to 25-30 mph. Fire fuels are heavy with lots of dead and down surfact fuels. Standing dead timber with low fuel moistures are available for torching and crown runs. Spotting distances will be up to ½ mile.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES: Public and firefighters safety is always the primary concern. There is currently an area and trail closure in effect. This order closes a portion of the Continental Divide Trail. A new closure order, expanding the area, will be finalized and posted within the next 24-48 hours. Closure orders and maps are located on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest web page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices. Hwy 43 is closed at Wisdom, MT, west to the junction of Hwy 93.