Single Publication

CURRENT STATUS Crews continue to chip residual piles and improve the constructed fuel break along the 75 road and 711A road, checking for areas of concern. Along the Railroad Creek drainage, crews are removing hazardous trees and improving constructed line. To the north, crews are patrolling and monitoring existing hand line. Crews, organized into wildland fire modules, will be taking photo points and collecting valuable fuel moisture data for future analysis. Helicopters will be available as needed to assist ground crews and will also be available to assist with new starts in the area. Joe Sampson’s Type 2 Incident Management Team will be transferring command to a Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Shane Martin. Resources from both teams will work alongside one another to ensure a smooth transfer of command tonight.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR Yesterday was an active weather day over the fire area. Overnight humidity recoveries were low, in the 40s, so relative humidity is expected to stay in the teens throughout the day. The threat of additional storms from the southwest could result in brief heavy downpours, lighting, hail, and erratic outflow winds. A weak dry front will enter the fire area, with associated west/northwest winds and gusts to 25 mph at the ridgetops. The trend through next week will be for warmer and drier conditions. Fire behavior is expected to continue as creeping and smoldering (increase in eight acres over the last four days); however, strong outflow winds could result in slight fire movement in areas not receiving precipitation. Such strong winds could overcome the higher relative humidity and move the fire around. However, no fire growth is expected beyond the current perimeter.
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
Road Closures: Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open. Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503). Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.
Trail Closures: Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate. Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461. A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156. Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.
Fire Restrictions:
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana. See mtfireinfo.org for more specific restrictions information.