Single Publication

Start Date: 7/19/2022      
Cause: Lightning
Size: 779 acres
Completion: 9%
Total Personnel: 289
Engines: 5
Helicopters: 3
Hand Crews: 6     

CURRENT STATUS 

Crews are working to "plumb" along Railroad Creek Road with sprinkler systems and hose lays. Heavy equipment and chainsaw crews completed fireline on the 5071 road and will continue constructing line along the 5070 and 75 roads. Crews will improve the fireline along the 77 trail, directly next to the fire's edge on the north flank. Heavy equipment will continue chipping along the 711 road. Additional crews are constructing handline along the 637 road. Line construction on all flanks of the fire will tie into one another, as crews work in a coordinated effort to connect established lines on both sides of the Sapphire Divide. Two type 2 helicopters and one type 3 helicopter will remain available to assist crews. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Light precipitation fell over the southern and eastern ends of the fire area early this morning, likely resulting in a slight delay to the active burn period. There is a 10-15% chance of additional precipitation this morning, lessening by the afternoon hours. Passing storms could bring strong outflow winds with gusts up to 22 mph along ridgelines. Wetting rain and lightning are unlikely. After today, temperatures will trend upwards and relative humidities are likely to decrease through next week.  

Fire behavior will remain active along the fire's western flank; however, minimal fire spread is expected. In the southeast corner, short lodgepole pine stands could torch and experience short-range spotting up to a few feet. This activity is expected to remain interior to the fire. The fire continues to burn pockets of unburned fuel on the western edge of the perimeter, along the 2005 Signal Rock Fire burn footprint. The fire continues to move slowly through the large, dry fuels. Green, live fuels have limited fire movement to date but will continue to dry and cure as seasonal weather continues.  

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.