Single Publication

Incident Commander: Jim King
Location: 40 miles south of Ennis, MT and 10 miles southwest of Lyons Bridge on HWY 287. 
Start Date: 10/08/24
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 3,900 acres (infrared mapping flight on 10/16/24)
Resources on Site: 2 20-person hand crews, 6 Type 6 engines.
Total Personnel: 74

*** This will be the last formal update for the Meridian Fire; future updates will be dictated by fire activity. ***

The Meridian Fire was reported late in the day on October 8th. Fire managers from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest have identified and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. Firefighting efforts will focus available resources on the protection of prioritized critical values at risk that are currently nearest the fire’s edge. 
There are several factors involved in making wildfire management decisions. These factors include firefighter safety, resource availability, threats to public safety and property, terrain, fire behavior, fire season outlook and modeling, and past prescribed fire units and vegetation management projects in the area. Fire managers are strategic in their approach and continually reassess conditions and alter management strategies to protect critical values.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
The fire received rain and a small amount of snow overnight, preventing any fire growth today. Resources spent the day securing sections of the fire along the east flank, specifically along FS 1209 (Jack Pine) and the very northern end of the fire closest to Cliff and Wade Lakes.

Fire managers coordinated with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, who lifted the evacuation order that was issued yesterday afternoon.

Tomorrow’s plan will be situational, depending on the amount of snow received overnight. If minimal moisture is received, similar operations will occur. If conditions associated with the predicted winter storm warning materialize, then crews will shift to removing equipment from the fire area.  

“Do Not Report” signs remain in place at Raynolds Pass and the junction of HWY 87 and HWY 287 by Three Dollar Bridge to minimize 911 calls impacting Madison County Dispatch. Information boards are still in place at the MT DOT Rest Area at Lyons Bridge and Cliff/Wade Lake Campground.  

All barriers into the fire area have been removed. The fire is not completely extinguished, and fire behavior is expected to be smoldering and creeping for the foreseeable future. The public should be aware that smoke and small amounts of flames may be visible until the fire area is fully covered in snow.

These actions are designed to allow fire personnel to protect the identified values at risk while operating in areas that have much better access and egress to safety. 
 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
A winter storm warning is in effect until noon on Friday and calls for 6-14” of snow above 7,000’, including the entire fire area. Overnight temperatures will bottom out in the mid-20s, with daytime high temperatures only reaching into the mid-30s.

If forecasted conditions materialize, fire behavior will be moderated significantly.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
There are no fire restrictions on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest or any area closures pertaining to the Meridian Fire.