Single Publication

Incident Commander:  Mitch Robbins, Doug Bertelson (T)
Location:  15 miles north/northwest of Whitehall, MT
Start Date: 8/18/2024 
Cause: Lightning
Size: 451 acres 
Resources on Site:  3 crews
Total Personnel:  65

The Ratio Mountain Fire, located between Ratio Mountain and Whitetail Reservoir, is burning in an area that has recently experienced several large fires. Fire footprints (or previously burned areas) lie to the north (State Creek Fire of 2020), the south (McClusky Fire of 2019), and the west (Placer Fire of 2021) of the fire location.

The entire area, including the previous fire footprints and the area immediately surrounding the Ratio Mountain fire, contains a large concentration of standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding to potential medical emergencies, jeopardizing the well-being of firefighters and other responders. 
Fire managers from the Forest, working in collaboration with local Jefferson County officials and cooperating agency representatives from the DNRC and BLM, have identified, mapped, and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. These inter-agency, values-based discussions are critical in fire management, informing the decision-making process.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
Strategic firing operations were successfully implemented on the eastern side of the fire, as firefighters used an Unmanned Aircraft System (“drone”) and hand ignitions to ignite and burn the fuels between the active fire edge and the constructed control lines from previous fire incidents along the Hay Canyon Road, working southerly along Pony Creek. The crews have progressed with completion of firing operations along this section, working to mop-up and secure the southern piece. Additional crews worked to prep existing lines to the north, in anticipation of tying into the State Creek Fire footprint.

Continuation of this firing operation to connect the current section, moving northeast, to the fire footprint from the State Creek Fire of 2020 will depend on fuel and weather conditions later this week. This fire suppression tactic is an effective method of reducing the available fuels ahead of an active fire edge, while reducing the potential for negative impacts to the identified and prioritized values.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Fire behavior has been limited to isolated torching, creeping, and backing. A relatively dry cold front will bring an increase in west winds, with predicted gusts 25 to 35 mph. A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for much of southwest Montana Tuesday afternoon and evening. These gusty winds, in combination with minimum relative humidity of 15 to 20 percent, result in critical fire weather. Much cooler temperatures are expected once the front passes. A hard morning freeze is possible Wednesday and Thursday.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
The Forest has issued an area closure around the fire area, north of Whitehall on the Butte Ranger District. An area closure often involves specific trail and road sections. The area closure information and maps can be found on the Forest website, under the Closures and Alerts tab. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

This closure applies to the following National Forest System (NFS) lands, approximately 15 miles north of Whitehall.

All National Forest System lands within:
• T3N, R5W, SECTIONS 1, 2, 3
• T4N, R5W SECTION 35

Closures surrounding a fire area are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighting efforts and access.

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.