PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING 9/8/2022 7PM @SPRINGER COMMUNITY CLUBHOUSE

IN SULA, MT NEXT TO SPRINGER FIRE HALL

Start Dates: August 26, 2022 Cause : Lightning

Trail Ridge Fire Summery

Size: 10,874 acres Completion: 0% Personnel: 28 Approx. 5 miles SE Sula, MT

Approx. 11 miles NW of Big Hole National Battlefield

Thompson Creek Fire Summery

Size: 85 acres Completion: 20% Personnel: 30 Approx. 19 miles E Sula, MT

Approx. 17 miles N Wisdom, MT

WITH ERRATIC FIRE BEHAVIOR PREDICTED FOR THE DAY, WE ARE  ASKING THE PUBLIC TO PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE AREA

CURRENT STATUS

Trail Ridge-Yesterday the fires growth was dominated by wind driven movement and continues to grow on all sides of the fire with most of the growth seen moving to the East within the 2000 Mussigbrod Burn Area. Rapid growth and hazardous conditions exist and are being assessed by firefighters in the area for containment options and will begin to prep containment lines along the West and North sides of the fire. As the fire grows, we will continue to monitor values at risk, evaluate the best options for value protection, and begin to implement this plan.

Thompson Creek-Yesterday the Thompson Creek Fire experienced two small containment breaks, totaling about 1 acre, that crews and a Type II helicopter were able secure these breaks within the day and will continue to secure and reinforce the line today.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT TONIGHT

Weather continues to be warm and dry today with increased winds throughout the day. Isolated thunderstorms are possible bringing the potential for gusty and erratic winds, little moisture is expected with the storm cell.

Increased fire behavior is expected today during this Red Flag Warning day.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Specific closure information can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8365/

TRAIL RIDGE FIRE AREA CLOSURES

Bitterroot National Forest

·          All National Forest Service Lands on the Darby-Sula Ranger District of the Bitterroot National Forest in the area bounded and the west by US Highway 93, on the north by Montana Secondary Highway 472 “East

Fork Road” on the east and including FS RD 725 “Meadow Creek Road” and on the south by the Forest boundary. This area includes all roads and trails within the defined area including portions of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST)

·          Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect on all Bitterroot National Forest lands.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

·          Seven miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail are closed starting at the junction of Forest Service RD 106 and Forest Service Trail 9 (Gibbons Pass Trailhead) and continuing along Trail 9 to the junction of Forest Service Trail 3105 and Trail 9. See Trail Closure Order Map for Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Reroute map for reroute

Public Information Officer                                                                  Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

(406) 490-1818                                                                                                                   Bitterroot National Forest