Trail Ridge and Thompson Creek Fires
September 10, 2022
Start Dates: August 26, 2022 Cause: Lightning
Trail Ridge Fire Summary
Approx. 5 miles SE Sula, MT
Approx. 11 miles NW of Big Hole National Battlefield
Size: 13,547 acres Completion: 7%
Personnel: 121
Thompson Creek Fire Summary
Approx. 19 miles E Sula, MT
Approx. 17 miles N Wisdom, MT
Size: 85 acres Containment: 80%
Personnel: 30
CURRENT STATUS
Trail Ridge-Yesterday equipment crews were able to complete a section of road prep and indirect line on the Northwestern portion of the fire and plans are in place to continue with line construction to the north of the fire. Crews were strategically placed around the fire to respond to changing weather conditions and wind directions, with little movement observed. Supplies have arrived for structure protection and crews will be installing hose around homes if the fire spreads towards these identified values, although fire reaching these locations are not anticipated at this time.
Currently the Trail Ridge Fire continues to burn at higher elevations near the Continental Divide and there was minimal fire growth yesterday. The work being completed is to be prepared for a change in fire behavior and to have a plan if the fire were to move in this direction. The fire is not anticipated to move toward any private lands or property at this time, although, the fire is expected to be more active today with the warmer and drier weather forecasted.
Work being completed by Area
· From Gibbons Pass Southeast to just West of Violet Lake: Crews continue to monitor fire progression and values along the Trail Creek Road, including Hogan Cabin. Plans are in place and ready to be activated if the fire is to move into an area that is favorable for firefighters to engage the fire safely. · From just West of Violet Lake and West toward the Meadow Creek area: Fire personnel continue to scout for best options on indirect line placement to connect the current piece of indirect line to the 2017 Myers Fire fuel break. · From the Meadow Creek area, through Tolan Creek drainage, along Trail Creek Road, to Gibbons Pass: Yesterday crews were able to complete a section of indirect line from Forest Service Road 106 to the Tolan Creek Drainage and will continue to move toward the Myers Fire fuel break. Three professional Falling Team were brought in to help remove snags and reduce the risk of hazardous trees where crews are working. Thompson Creek-As containment increases on the fire, crews are beginning to work on suppression repair around the portions of the fire perimeter that have been established as contained. Suppression repair is intended to repair the damage caused by work completed to contain the fire and remove all supplies used in the fire’s suppression. The goal of this work is to return the area affected by fire to a pre-fire condition.
FIRE WEATHER AND BEHAVIOR
The weather for today and tomorrow will be hotter and drier than the last few days due to a high-pressure system over the area. After the weekend the fire will start to experience a slight decrease in temperatures with a chance of precipitation expected later in the week.
TRAIL RIDGE CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest · See the Fire Area Closure Order Map for Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Bitterroot National Forest · See the Fire Area Closure Order Map for the Bitterroot National Forest New Fire Area Closure Order in effect 9/10/2022 · Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect on all Bitterroot National Forest Lands Specific closure information can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8365/
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Prescribed Fire
Burned Area
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