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:   6662 Acres     

Completion: 25%

Total Personnel: 224

Current Status 

Yesterday, crews completed line on the north side of the fire and removed equipment out of the west and north regions of the fire. As weather conditions allow, crews will return to the fireline to continue their assignments. 

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Winds reached up to 60 mph in the Bitterroot yesterday and a flash flood watch was in effect until 9 p.m. This cooler and wetter weather pattern, with up to two inches of rain possible in parts of the valley, is expected to last through Friday. Over the weekend hotter and drier conditions may return. However, another low-pressure system is expected early next week. Current conditions over the fire area do not support active fire behavior but creeping and smoldering is likely to continue in the larger fuels that take large amounts of moisture to extinguish.  

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES  

• The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has rescinded the established Evacuation Warning for the Johnson Fire due to the precipitation the area continues to receive. This includes residents of Frog Pond Basin and Little East Fork Road.
• 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 Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness within the Bitterroot National Forest is currently in Stage I Fire restrictions. 
• The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) area was expanded on September 10th. More information can be found on the FAA website: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_2921.html