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Suppression repair work continues today with crews and equipment working to naturalize handline, dozer line, and a helispot. Structure protection is being removed in pre-identified areas and backhauled to camp. The current incident management team is preparing to transition command to the local unit on Wednesday at 6 A.M.  

FINAL UPDATE ON THE BIG KNIFE FIRE Barring any significant developments, this will be the final update for this fire. CSKT Division of Fire personnel will assume command of the fire Wednesday morning at 6 A.M.  

As the warming and drying trend persists, fuels will dry out, and fire will continue to creep and smolder. Overnight humidity recoveries in the 80-90% ranges are helping to minimize smoke impacts.

Yesterday, aerial observations detected residual heat in the dead and down fuels in the eastern half of the fire. Fuels are continuing to smolder as they dry out, which may lead to more observable smoke over the fire’s footprint than in previous days. As temperatures return to seasonal averages in the 70s and 80s, personnel are continuing to monitor containment lines and fire behavior.

Wisps of smoke are visible within the footprint of the fire area, as the temperatures rise, and sheltered fuels continue to dry out. A final piece of line will be constructed today, reaching from the S Canal Rd to the fire’s edge. Crews are beginning to “time out”, reaching the end of their working days here and either returning home or being reassigned to other fires. With moderated fire activity, remaining crews have been busy with the start of suppression repair work.

After a season-slowing rain event earlier this week, fuels are beginning to dry, and wisps of smoke are visible in pockets around the fire. Crews completed the powerline assessment and continue to patrol and monitor fire activity in Agency Creek and along S-Canal Road. Anticipating the future warming and drying trends, the Jocko Lookout is being assessed for additional protection improvements. Crews are staging structure wrap, an aluminum/fiberglass covering that blocks up to 96% of radiant heat, at the tower in the event fire behavior picks up.

After substantial rains yesterday, minimal fire growth is expected today. Outside the fire’s eastern edge, at Jocko Lookout, 1 inch of rain was recorded with 0.66 inches being the average across the fire area. As weather and road conditions allow, crews will continue brushing along the S. Canal Road. Crews will be mopping up and monitoring fire activity as heavier fuels continue to smolder along Agency Creek. With precipitation and cooler temperatures looming, the team will begin to look for opportunities for future dozer line rehab.

Fire Behavior Analysts assigned to the Big Knife Fire utilized a weather analysis program that uses historical and current weather data to assess the fire outlook. Rain yesterday and forecast for today will be a fire season-slowing event, but it will not be fire season-ending event. A fire season-ending event consists of a combination of weather events followed by a persistent combination of environmental factors to mark the end of fire season. Weather events can include rain or snow, lower temperatures, higher relative humidity, and cloud cover.

Community Meeting Today Arlee Community Center, 34086 Pow Wow Rd., Arlee, MT Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 7 P.M. Meeting will be broadcast on CSKT Division of Fire Facebook Live

Community Meeting Tomorrow Arlee Community Center, 34086 Pow Wow Rd., Arlee, MT Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 7 P.M. Meeting will be broadcast on CSKT Division of Fire Facebook Live