Trail Creek Fire Over 23,000 Acres Burned Alder Creek Fire At 5,670 Acres Burned

Alder Creek Fire

Current as of7/19/2021, 7:20:36 AM

Current Size: 5,670 Acres

Current Containment: 0%

Resources Assigned:

Total personnel: 296

Engines: 16

Hand crews: 6

Planned Actions: Structure protection/point protection around threatened primary structures. Continue construction on indirect line between fire and structures as overhead allow. Strategic burning out along primary control line to around adjacent primary structures.

Weather Concerns: Despite the smoke, afternoon temperatures on Sunday climbed into the 80s to lower 90s while relative humidity dropped to 10% today. Winds were generally light and terrain driven with a few gusts to 20 mph along the higher terrain.

For Monday, A RED FLAG WARNING is forecast from noon through midnight with possible erratic wind gusts up to 50 MPH and lightning. These conditions may create critical fire danger and rapid spread/growth of both the Alder Creek and Trail creek fires.

Projected Incident Activity:

12 hours: Fire spread will continue in all directions.

24 hours: Fire activity will increase as fuels dry. RH values drop into the mid to low teens. Surface fire, single tree, and group torching with some passive crown fires.

48 hours: Terrain and wind driven runs with short spotting and group torching And passive crown fires. Fire will actively burn in receptive fuels after the morning inversion lifts.

72 hours:

Fire will be threatening 146 primary structures along Hwy 43 and may be threatening the

Pioneer scenic by-way with additional structures.

Anticipated after 72 hours:

Fire will be threatening an additional 28 primary structures along Hwy 43, an additional 20 primary structures along Hwy 73, and may be threatening the

Pioneer scenic by-way with additional structures.

Two drones were spotted violating the temporary flight restriction over the Alder Creek fire yesterday. When people fly drones near wildfires, aircraft in the area are grounded to avoid the potential for a midair collision. Delaying airborne response poses a threat to firefighters on the ground, residents, and property in nearby communities, and it can allow wildfires to grow larger.

Trail Creek Fire

Current as of7/19/2021, 7:49:50 AM

Current Size: 23,090 Acres

Current Containment: 0%

Resources Assigned:

Total personnel: 147

Engines: 4

Hand Crews: 2

Planned Actions: Continuing point source protection on existing FS cabins and NPS Big Hole Battlefield. Confine and contain where there are opportunities with the highest degree of success. Several private residences near Big Hole Battlefield will necessitate a structure protection plan.

Weather Concerns: Despite the smoke, afternoon temperatures on Sunday climbed into the 80s to lower 90s, while relative humidity dropped into the teens again today. Winds were generally light and terrain driven with a few gusts to 20 mph along the higher terrain.

For Monday, a RED FLAG WARNING is in effect noon to midnight with potential for dry thunderstorms and erratic winds up to 50 MPH and lightning. These conditions may create critical fire danger and rapid spread/growth of both the Alder Creek and Trail Creek fires.

Current fire weather seems to be a month earlier than in previous years. Conditions are above the 97th percentile.

Projected Incident Activity:

12 hours: Fire will continue to grow in all directions due to the heavy fuel loading and Beetle kill trees. Fire will continue to impact the Hwy 43 corridor and Pioneer Scenic Byway. Terrain driven runs with short range spotting, group torching and passive crown fires are anticipated.

24 hours: Fire will remain very active as Relatively Humidity values drop, potentially, into the low teens. Expect fire movement up and across slope with the predicted weather. Potential for large fire growth. RED FLAG WARNING for dry thunderstorms and erratic wind gusts up to 50 MPH and lightning.

48 hours: The fire will continue to threaten and impact the Hwy 43 corridor. The fire will continue to spot and move in all directions. Terrain driven runs with short range spotting, group torching and passive crown fires are anticipated. Fire will actively burn in receptive fuels after the morning inversion lifts.

72 hours: Fire will continue to spot and move in all directions. Bitterroot NF, Darby Sula RD is less than 3 air miles to the North and Salmon-Challis NF is to the south and west and in Forest Service's Region 4.

Anticipated after 72 hours: Fire will be a long term event and will burn through the fire season until a season ending event produces moisture. If the fire receives moisture it will slow the growth but maintain its presence.

MAJOR CLOSURES:

• Hwy 43 has been intermittingly opening and closing depending on fire

conditions. Please check the Montana DOT website: Road Report

MDT.MT.gov/travinfomobile for current status

• Continental Divide Trail: Closed from Montana/Idaho Boarder NW to Chief

Joseph Pass and NE to Trail 3062.

• Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice.

• Forest Closure orders are in effect for both fires. Visit the Closure Section on the

Beaverhead‐Deerlodge National Forest website for specific information.