Single Publication

Northern Rockies Team 5, Incident Commander Joe Sampson  

Location:3 miles south of Springer Memorial Community, in the East Fork 

Start Date: 7/25/2024      

Cause: Lightning     

Size: 6,301 Acres     

Completion: 25%

Total Personnel: 254  

Engines: 13               

Hand Crews: 6           

Heavy Equipment: 8   

Helicopters: 2    

Current Status 

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 5, led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson, assumed command of the Johnson Fire at 6 a.m. this morning.

Crews will continue patrolling the fire’s western edge, searching for any areas of remaining heat along the fire’s perimeter. To the south, crews will search for areas of remaining heat along the containment line firefighters used for strategic burning operations over the last few days. Along the fire’s northern edge, firefighters will improve existing containment lines, monitor the fire’s movement and cool areas of residual heat. 

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Thunderstorms passed through the fire area last night, bringing wind gusts up to about 30 mph. However, the fire area did not receive measurable precipitation. Today, hot and dry conditions are expected with southwest wind gusts up to 20 mph along ridgetops. Temperatures in the fire area will likely remain in the mid 70s, with relative humidities in the mid 20s. The majority of the fire’s movement will be in the upper slopes where dry, subalpine fir has the potential to torch and cause short-range spotting up to ½ mile. 

In the coming days, precipitation is expected with up to 1 inch of rain possible. This wetting rain will likely hinder the fire’s ability to move substantially for a week or so or until fuels along the fire’s perimeter dry out. 

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES  

• The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for Frog Pond Basin and Little East Fork Road. Sign up for evacuation alerts at http://hyper-reach.com/mtravallisignup.html 
• Area closures are in effect for both sides of the East Fork Road, the East Fork Guard Station, Martin Creek Campground, and a multitude of trailheads. More information on Bitterroot National Forest area closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bitterroot/alerts-notices 
• The Bitterroot National Forest is currently in Stage I Fire restrictions within the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness.