Single Publication

Railroad-Daly Fires 

Bitterroot National Forest

Fire Information: 406-360-4587

2024.dalyrailroad@firenet.gov

https://linktr.ee/sharrottjohnsondalyrailroad 

October 8, 2024

Type 3 Incident Command Team, Incident Commander Matt Young  

Location: Railroad Creek/ Skalkaho Creek confluence, 26 miles southeast of Hamilton

Start Date: 7/25/2024  

Cause: Undetermined                

Daly Fire Acres: 8,377  Railroad Fire Acres: 1,300  Completion: 56%

Total Personnel: 133

Current Status 

Yesterday’s fire progression was minimal but demonstrated active creeping and backing. Helicopters were utilized to preform bucket work and suppress growth on the fire.

Crews will continue to establish a shaded fuel break along Coal Creek Road, extending their efforts to the Stony Creek area. Structural protection will be enhanced in Stony Creek and crews will closely monitor fire activity in the upper Stony Creek area. Additionally, teams will be constructing hand and dozer lines from Gird Creek Road to Highway 38. Aerial resources will remain actively engaged to oversee and manage the fire's spread.

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Expect warmer than usual temperatures and dry weather to last thru Wednesday as high pressure sits over the area. In the afternoons and early evenings, you can expect a typical breeze to pick up. However, on Wednesday afternoon and evening, the winds are predicted to get stronger.

Fire activity and potential will remain high for at least two weeks due to current and forecasted weather. In the West, burn periods will be longer than usual, especially during wind events. Other areas are likely to see increased fire potential as leaf fall rises, with little precipitation expected. Anomalously dry conditions in the West will heighten fire activity in October, with significant fire behavior during wind events potentially resembling August's intensity, including long burn periods. 

Closures

All areas along State Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) beginning at the top of Skalkaho Pass near mile marker 26.5 along State Hwy 38 to the East and turning to the north at the junction of State Hwy 38 and Rock Creek Road. From State Highway 38 and Rock Creek Road (County Road 102) turning north to the junction of State Highway 348 and Rock Creek Road and proceeding northwesterly on Rock Creek Road (County Road 102) to the junction of USFS Road 241. Following USFS Road 241 (Stony Creek Road) moving southwesterly to the junction of Little Stony Creek and Stony Creek. Following Little Stony Creek west to the ridge where Trail 313 (Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail) begins and continuing south along Trail 313 to the intersection and ending at mile marker 14 on western side of State Highway 38.