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July 20th Hog Trough Fire Daily Update
Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News 07/20/2022
Fire Information: 406-880-8090 daily from 8am-7pm
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/
Discovered: July 17th
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 263
Location: 17 mi E of Hamilton
Summary: The Western Montana All Hazard Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the Hog Trough Fire as of July 21st. An Infared (IR) flight was conducted yesterday and provided more accurate estimate of the size of the fire. The fire is currently at 263 acres and is located five miles east of Black Bear Campground and seven miles southwest of Skalkaho Falls. It is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. People within the Bitterroot Valley may continue to see smoke from this fire. There are no structures currently threatened. Area closures are in effect. See below for more information.
Terrain: The fire’s location is in extremely remote, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. The fire is burning in an old fire scar from the fires of 2000 with heavy fuels, dead standing trees (snags), and downed timber. Due to the significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters are not directly engaging the fire on the ground currently. Fire manager’s top priority is ensuring firefighter and public safety.
Planned Actions: Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire to the south of Highway 38 and east of USFS Road 75. Crews are utilizing aerial and ground observations to determine locations where indirect line construction will be effective and successful. When it is safe to do so, the right resources are available, and there is a high probability of success, firefighters will engage in direct fire suppression tactics.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the 70s to low 80s in the fire area with afternoon winds between 10 and 25 mph. Minimum relative humidity values will be between 11 and 16 percent.
Closures: See Closures Tab for Closures Map and Order
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 Chain of Lakes 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 Danger: Fire Danger is currently “high” on the Bitterroot National Forest. When fire danger is “high,” fires will start from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. All fine dead fuels ignite readily and unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape.