Trail Ridge and Thompson Creek Fires
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: 13,200 acres Completion: 0%
Personnel: 66
Thompson Creek Fire Summary
Approx. 19 miles E Sula, MT
Approx. 17 miles N Wisdom, MT
Size: 85 Containment: 50%
Personnel: 30
CURRENT STATUS
Trail Ridge- The cooler weather experienced yesterday was helpful in slowing the spread of the fire and decreasing the severity of fire behavior and slowing forward progression. Similar conditions are expected today with slightly lower temperatures and wind speeds.
Currently the Trail Ridge Fire continues to burn at higher elevations near the Continental Divide and there is no current threat to private land and property. 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. Currently, the fire is not anticipated to move toward any private lands or property.
Work being completed by Area
· From Gibbons Pass Southeast to just West of Violet Lake: Crews are monitoring fire progression and looking at assessing values at risk 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: This area is currently being scouted for the best opportunity to bring indirect line into the 2017 Myers Fire fuel break. This line will be an extension of the indirect line that is currently being worked along the north end of the fire. · From the Meadow Creek area, through Tolan Creek drainage, along Trail Creek Road, to Gibbons Pass: Crews continue to improve Trail Creek Road as a fuel break to the fire and continuing working on indirect line moving to the North. Thompson Creek-Containment lines continue to improve around the entire perimeter of the fire. The cooler temperatures expected in the upcoming week are favorable for increasing the containment around the fire perimeter.
FIRE WEATHER AND BEHAVIOR
Cooler temperatures with low humidity will persist into this coming weekend with a slight increase toward the end of the weekend. A slight shift in wind direction is predicted with increased speeds expected later in the evening. We will see the return of a high-pressure system bringing warmer and drier conditions until later in the week when we will see a chance for moisture again.
TRAIL RIDGE CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest · See the updated Fire Area Closure Order Map for Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Bitterroot National Forest · See the updated Fire Area Closure Order Map for the Bitterroot National Forest Specific closure information can be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8365/