Updates On Alder Creek & Trail Creek Fires 07/16/2021

Alder Creek Fire

Size: 3,463 Acres

Total Personnel: 226

Significant Events

Fire behavior: Active fire behavior, with short range spotting, wind driven runs and group torching. Fire spread is terrain and wind driven.

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

Projected Incident Activity: 12 hours: Fire spread will continue in all directions. Due to dry fuel conditions, fire spread will continue throughout the night.

24 hours: Fire spread will continue to the East and North with majority of growth to the South. Fire will remain very active as RH values drop, potentially, into the high teens. Expect fire movement up and across slope with the predicted weather. High Haines can create large fire growth.

48 hours: Terrain and wind driven runs with short spotting, 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 Byway 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 Byway with additional structures.

Trail Creek Fire

Size: 9,544 Acres

Total Personnel: 105

Significant Events: Active fire behavior, with short range spotting, wind driven runs and group torching. Fire spread is terrain and wind driven.

Weather Concerns: Another hot and dry day with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms across Southwest Montana. Thunderstorms are again expected to generate lightning and erratic/gusty winds up to 40 mph but little to no rain is expected. Current fire weather seems to be a month earlier than in previous years. Current conditions are above the 97th percentile.

Planned Actions: Continue with point source protection on values at risk. Confine and contain the fire where there are opportunities with the highest degree of success.

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. Likely actively burning through the night.

24 hours: Fire will remain very active as RH values drop, potentially, into the high teens. Expect fire movement up and across slope with the predicted weather. High Haines can facilitate large fire growth.

48 hours: The fire will continue to threaten several private residences 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: The fire will continue to impact and threaten the Hwy 43 corridor. The fire will continue to spot and move in all directions.

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.

FACEBOOK Post From Beaverhead County Sheriff

Beaverhead County Sheriff's Office

FIRE UPDATE: 07/16/2021 Yesterday evening there was an Emergency Evacuation on the west side of the Scenic Byway from the Airport to Harriet Lou MM39- Approx. 38 homes were evacuated. Also, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) at this time has reopened Hwy 43 from Wisdom to MM0. Please note that SPEEDS ARE REDUCED and additional closures may be necessary. Expect delays https://roadreport.mdt.mt.gov/travinfomobile/