The Sheep Creek Fire was discovered on September 22 around noon. The cause was determined to be a hold-over from lightning associated with a storm that passed through the area on September 17. The fire is burning in a remote area along a ridgetop, with very poor access and a large amount of beetle-killed lodgepole pine.
Fire managers from the Forest, along with interagency partners, have identified very few critical values at risk. These values are located in the lower valleys and road corridors and are not currently threatened by the fire.
Fire managers are utilizing a combination of full suppression and monitor strategies.
Current as of | Thu, 09/26/2024 - 19:33 |
---|---|
Incident Time Zone | America/Denver |
Incident Type | Wildfire |
Cause | Lightning |
Date of Origin | |
Location | 5 miles southwest of Bernice, MT |
Incident Commander | Doug Bertelsen |
Coordinates |
46° 12' 34'' Latitude
-112° 24' 38
'' Longitude
|
Total Personnel: | 22 |
---|---|
Size | 81 Acres |
Fuels Involved | Fuels include timber, with grass and litter understory. There is a large component of standing dead and down trees due to insect mortality. |
Significant Events | The fire has moved to the northeast, away from any critical values. This movement was expected, given the warm temperatures and gusty winds that materialized as a cold front passed through the area.
|
Planned Actions |
Firefighting resources will engage the fire when safe to do so, as the fire is located in a remote area with poor access and a large number of beetle-killed trees. |
---|---|
Projected Incident Activity |
Active fire behavior is expected, given the predicted weather conditions. Interior burning of large fuels will continue, with movement to the northeast away from identified values at risk. |
Remarks |
Completion of operational objectives is 38%. The overall fire suppression strategy consists of 25% full suppression and 75% monitor. The full suppression objectives are 100% complete. The monitor objectives are 13% complete. |
Weather Concerns | Unseasonably warm and dry conditions predicted for several days. Gusty southwest winds materialized over the fire area Wednesday afternoon and evening, as a cold front passed through. Another gradual warming and drying trend is in store for the weekend. A weak disturbance will move through the region early next week, bringing another round of westerly winds. |
---|