Single Publication

Incident Commander:  David Mcfee
Location:  16 miles northwest of Philipsburg, MT
Start Date: 8/26/2024 
Cause: Undetermined
Size: estimated at 427 acres 
Resources on Site:  1 crew; 1 engine; miscellaneous heavy equipment
Total Personnel:  38

The McDermott Fire, located in the Upper Willow Creek area, is burning in an inaccessible area containing a large concentration of standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding to potential medical emergencies. 

Fire managers from the Forest, working in collaboration with local county officials and cooperating agency representatives, have identified and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. The values most likely to be impacted are located three miles to the east of the fire’s location.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
Last night the fire received precipitation and cool weather, and additional precipitation is expected. Due to this weather pattern, at the end of today’s shift the incident will transition from a Type 3 Incident Management Team to a Type 4 managed by the local district. Crews will monitor the fire and focus on completing indirect fuel breaks. Fire managers do not expect to see significant fire activity today due to precipitation and cloud cover. The daily update for today, September 12 will be the last one issued unless significant fire activity returns later this fall. Smoke is expected to still be visible at times as the dead and down trees continue to smolder. This is expected for the next several weeks, but the fire is not expected to have much growth.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Last night the fire received 0.25 inches of precipitation. Today there will be areas of patchy fog and cloud clover over the fire. Expect rain showers and possibility of thunderstorms. Temperatures will be in the mid-40’s with humidities from 83-90 percent. Winds could gust to 20 mph this afternoon. Showers and cold temperatures are expected tonight with a slight warm up next week but there is a chance of rain beginning Monday.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

All trails have been opened. Please remember the trails on the Black Pine System are closed to motorized vehicles starting September 1 each year.