Single Publication

Railroad-Daly update September 5, 2024

Location:  Railroad Creek/ Skalkaho Creek confluence, 26 miles SE of Hamilton
Start Date: 7/25/2024     
Cause: Lightning
Size: 362 acres for Railroad & 1,670 acres for Daly
18 Total Personnel

KEY MESSAGE
A portion of Skalkaho Hwy (Hwy 38) is closed to traffic (see details below). There is a temporary flight restriction in place over the fire area.
CURRENT STATUS 
The Railroad fire is currently 362 acres, and the Daly fire is 1,670 acres.  Because of the steep and difficult terrain and high risk to responders, suppression actions have been limited.  One of the main objectives is identifying any values at risk, and protecting those, while protecting the public and keeping firefighters safe. Yesterday, crews finished wrapping the Gird Point Lookout tower and will continue snagging operations along Hwy 38 to ensure the road is safe for traffic. On the north side of Hwy 38 crews have started identifying areas where handline can be constructed to slow the fire’s path.

WEATHER
A ridge of high pressure is building over the region, lasting through early next week. Temperatures will trend warmer with a return of intense thermal belts. A few showers and thunderstorms are possible by Sunday afternoon. Long term models show the ridge will most likely break down next week.

CLOSURES
Because the Daly Fire exhibited increased fire behavior late on Monday night with fire crossing over the Skalkaho Hwy (Highway 38), an expanded Road Closure is in effect from Black Bear Campground on Skalkaho Hwy (Hwy 38) to the Skalkaho Pass. There are barricades in place, and Gird Point Lookout is closed.

See InciWeb for map and details on area closure: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/mtbrf-railroaddaly-fire