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: 6,813  Completion: 18%

Railroad Fire Acres: 1,006  Completion: 30%

Total Personnel: 26

Current Status 

Minimal fire activity is present, with no expected spread on the Railroad and Daly Fires. Crews will continue with hazard mitigation along the Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) and begin removing structure protection equipment in the Gem Mountain area.

Area closures surrounding the fire area are still in effect. These closures are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighting operations and access. Fire managers are working in conjunction with Bitterroot National Forest officials to assess the need and potential boundary changes, shrinking the affected area within the closure.

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Temperatures will gradually rise into the mid 60s in the afternoon. Partly cloudy skies will prevail throughout the day. The minimum relative humidity will be around 40%, with northeast winds around 10 mph. Ridgetop winds will gust to 20 mph. Fire behavior will remain limited to creeping and smoldering in stump holes, large diameter fuels and heavily concentrated fuels. Minimal fire behavior or spread is predicted. The arrival of a low-pressure system early this week is expected to bring another round of precipitation.

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES  

The Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is closed from Black Bear Campground on the Bitterroot National Forest to Skalkaho Pass Summit.

Gird Point Lookout is closed.

The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness in the Bitterroot National Forest is currently in Stage I Fire restrictions.