Single Publication

September 17, 2024

Northern Rockies Team 5, Incident Commander Joe Sampson

Fire                                      Cause                                        Size                                   Completion                    Phone #                                   Personnel

Johnson                               Lightning                                   6,687                                    46%                          406-401-0286                              81

Sharrott Creek                    Lightning                                   3,204                                    83%                           406-403-7976                             216

Daly                                     Undetermined                            6,813                                    38%                           406-403-7971                            26

Railroad                               Undetermined                            1,006                                   35%                           406-403-7971                   (shared with Daly)

The area closures surrounding the fires are still in effect. These closures are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighter and equipment operations and access. Fire managers are working in conjunction with Bitterroot National Forest officials to assess the need and potential boundary changes.

All three incidents are downsizing as resources demobilize due to increased moisture and limited fire activity.

Current Status 

Johnson (3 miles south of Springer Memorial Community, in the East Fork)

Firefighters continue to work alongside resource advisors from the Bitterroot National Forest to implement suppression repair efforts using excavators and hand tools to pull back berms on constructed firelines.

Sharrott (3 miles west of Stevensville)

Firefighters and excavators continue to implement suppression repair efforts to pull back berms on constructed firelines on the northern and southern firelines. Wood chippers work to break down large branches and tree trunks into smaller pieces, scattering available fuels alongside the constructed fireline. Fire activity is minimal due to the increased precipitation across the fire area.

Daly and Railroad (Railroad and Skalkaho Creeks confluence, 26 miles southeast of Hamilton)

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).

Weather and Fire Behavior 

The weather Tuesday will remain unstable with a widespread wetting rain expected. High temperatures will be in the low 60s. The minimum relative humidity will be around 70%. Winds will be mostly terrain driven around 5-10 mph, gusting 20-25 mph out of the west in the evening. 

Fire behavior will be creeping and smoldering, primarily in stump holes, large logs, and accumulated fuels. 

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES  

• Area closures are still in effect for all fire areas. More information on Bitterroot National Forest area closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bitterroot/alerts-notices