Single Publication

CURRENT STATUS  Along the southeast edge of the fire, crews have nearly completed line from the 5070 road and Medicine Lake. Aerial resources continue to patrol and monitor the fire’s northern edge. To the west, heavy equipment, chippers, and hand crews are working along the 75 road to complete line towards the 711 road. Crews are finishing their work “plumbing” the 77 trail with hose lays and sprinklers to raise the humidity of the dense vegetation along the constructed lines. An additional four firefighting modules arrived yesterday to transition with and replace outgoing resources, as we shift to a smaller organization over the next few days. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR  Today will be another elevated fire weather day, with temperatures expected in the mid to high 80s on exposed ridgetops and relative humidity at about 15%. West winds may gust up to 15 mph. By the afternoon, temperatures could moderate, and relative humidity may increase with additional cloud cover, moderating fire behavior. Heavy rainstorms, with lightning and gusty outflow winds, are likely to be widespread throughout the local region tomorrow through Friday. 

Cloud cover, which tampers the heat, will be the driver for fire behavior. If cloud cover lifts, then solar radiation hits the ground and pre-heats the fuel to increase fire behavior, with short-range spotting and tree torching more likely. The winds are keeping the fire predominantly at the ridgetops, and flames continue to back downslope slowly. The southwestern and southeastern corners of the fire have the most potential for fire activity and movement.  

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.