Single Publication

Northern Rockies Team 5, Incident Commander Joe Sampson  
Location: Railroad Creek/ Skalkaho Creek confluence, 26 miles southeast of Hamilton
Start Date: 7/25/2024     Cause: Undetermined        
   Daly Fire Acres: 2,170   Completion: 6%   
Railroad Fire Acres: 490  Completion: 4%
Total Personnel: 33

CURRENT STATUS 
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 5, led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson, took command of the Railroad-Daly Fires at 6 a.m.  today. The Daly Fire is currently advancing to the northeast towards Skalkaho Pass, with significant movement overnight due to gusty outflow winds (acreage will updated with the next mapping flight). The fire has crossed north of Highway 38 on its northwest flank east of Gird Point. The fire will also advance into previous years’ fire footprints as it progresses northward. Both fires have reached the fire footprint from last year’s Bowles Creek Fire. Crews will continue to remove hazardous trees along the south side of Highway 38 to mitigate safety concerns for firefighters and members of the public when the highway reopens. Crews will also utilize previously constructed control lines in the Skalkaho Creek drainage.

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 any measurable precipitation. Today, hot and dry conditions are expected with southwest wind gusts reaching about 20 mph along the ridgetops. Temperatures 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 in the fire area. 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. However, thunderstorms could potentially cause new fire starts.
 
EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES  
There are no evacuation warnings in place currently. The Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is closed from Black Bear Campground to the top of Skalkaho Pass. Gird Point Lookout is also closed. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness in the Bitterroot National Forest is currently in Stage I Fire restrictions.