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Aerial view of the Blacktail Canyon Fire, showing location of retardant lines and fire footprint.
Steep and rocky terrain on the Blacktail Canyon Fire outside Butte, MT
Fireline and mop-up operations on the Blacktail Canyon Fire outside Butte, MT.
The Blacktail Canyon fire was reported on the afternoon of July 19th. The fire is located 4 miles southeast of Butte, MT in timber with a heavy dead and down fuel component. On the first afternoon, several large air tankers and a very large air tanker (VLAT) dropped retardant as helicopters assisted with water bucket drops.
Working in cooperation with the Butte-Silver Bow officials, fire managers have identified and prioritized critical values at risk, focusing available resources and current efforts on the protection of the private structures in the Blacktail Canyon, Homestake Road, and Passmore Canyon areas. Local Fire Department engines provided structure assessments in these areas. Crews will continue to assess critical values at risk in the adjacent areas.
The fire is burning between Interstate 90 and Highway 2 and is highly visible from these road corridors. Travelers are encouraged to keep traffic flowing and refrain from stopping along the roadways, posing a safety hazard to others and firefighting apparatus.
| Current as of | Thu, 07/25/2024 - 11:51 |
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| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Undetermined |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | 4 miles southeast of Butte, MT |
| Incident Commander | USFS - J. Willoughby |
| Coordinates |
45° 53' 7'' Latitude
-112° 25' 41
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 173 |
|---|---|
| Size | 80 Acres |
| Fuels Involved | Timber, timber litter, and grass. Heavy dead and down component. The interior of the fire continues to burn in large amounts of dead and down lodgepole pine trees, creating additional hazards and affecting progress. |
| Significant Events | The Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department issued an evacuation warning on July 19th for Blacktail Canyon Road southeast of Homestake Road and Homestake Road east of Blacktail Canyon Road. This warning means residents should be prepared to evacuate but are not yet under an evacuation order. Local Fire Department engines are providing structure assessments in these areas. Crews progressed with their “mop-up” operations, working along the previously constructed sawline and handline. Completion of “mop-up” objectives remains at 40% of the fire footprint. Crews worked in the morning yesterday until the predicted high winds materialized, forcing the crews off the fireline and back to fire camp. These winds pose a major safety hazard due to the high density of “snags” and falling trees.
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| Planned Actions |
Crews will continue with “mop-up” operations, as allowed by weather conditions and subsequent impacts of the gusty winds. Engine crews and helicopters will be available for initial attack of new fires in the area, given the recent lightning.
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| Projected Incident Activity |
Fire behavior was minimal yesterday, with smoldering in the stump holes observed. Little to no smoke was visible. |
| Remarks |
Working in cooperation with the Butte-Silver Bow officials, fire managers have identified and prioritized critical values at risk, focusing available resources and current efforts on the protection of the private structures in the Blacktail Canyon and Homestake Road areas. Winds associated with passing thunderstorms will test the efficacy of constructed firelines and pose a major safety hazard due to the high density of “snags” and falling trees. Additionally, the proximity of the fire location to recreation sites such as the Continental Divide Trail and the Silver Bow Archery Range in Thompson Park presents a further need for public awareness. The public is advised to stay out of these areas, as crews and helicopters continue their work. Ensuring firefighter safety and protecting life and property are of the utmost importance during any incident. |
| Weather Concerns | A RED FLAG WARNING will be in effect again today. The combination of low relative humidity and thunderstorm outflow winds will result in critical fire weather conditions. These conditions increase the risk for new and existing fires to spread quickly. Winds will be from the southwest at 10-15 mph, and gusts associated with thunderstorms may reach 50 mph. Relative humidity will bottom out at 10-15 percent. Fire officials are keeping a close tab on these conditions, as they affect fire behavior and subsequent firefighting operations. Securing the fire edge is paramount, in anticipation of the cold front passage with gusty outflow winds. The combination of these weather conditions, the volume of fuel in and adjacent to the fire area, and the amount of internal residual heat result in lingering potential for this fire. Winds associated with passing thunderstorms will test the efficacy of constructed firelines and pose a major safety hazard due to the high density of “snags” and falling trees. Additionally, the proximity of the fire location to recreation sites such as the Continental Divide Trail and the Silver Bow Archery Range in Thompson Park presents a further need for public awareness. The public is advised to stay out of these areas, as crews and helicopters continue their work. Ensuring firefighter safety and protecting life and property are of the utmost importance during any incident.
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