Single Publication

Northern Rockies Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens

Location: Three miles west of Stevensville, Montana in Ravalli County

Start Date: 8/23/2024

Cause: Lightning  

Size:   2,903 Acres

Completion/Containment: 25 percent

Resources assigned: 642 people

Key message

• A community meeting will be held Saturday, September 7th, at 3 pm at Stevensville High School. It will also be broadcast live on the Discover Bitterroot National Forest Facebook page.

Current Status

On the northern side, three additional rappelers were inserted into the large spot northwest of the fire, which showed increased activity with the hotter temperatures and lower humidity. This spot previously showed very little heat. It’s burning in an old fire scar, and fire managers want to address it before it creates issues. Firefighters continue to mop up and secure the head of the Larson Creek Drainage. Control lines on the east perimeter are complete and reflected on the fire map as a black edge. Firefighters will continue to patrol that line to ensure it remains secure. 

On the south, water handling equipment is installed from the St. Mary’s Trailhead to the southeastern fire edge. Pumping water from creeks, tanks, and engines allows firefighters to cool hot spots. Fire managers are optimistic about limiting the fire spread south. However, contingency lines are still being scouted. On the western edge, a rappel module constructed hand line around hot areas near the St. Mary’s Trail, spiked out overnight, and will continue working that section today. The most heat remains on the west where fire is progressing into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.

Structure protection crews have begun backhauling sprinkler system equipment from the northern neighborhoods. They also have initial attack responsibilities. Night shift resources will assist with mop-up on the north and southern edge. During the day, helicopters continue to support ground operations with water drops.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Hot and dry conditions continue today under sunny skies with temperatures in the 80s. Relative humidity is expected to fall into the teens this afternoon. Winds will be light and mostly terrain driven. Expect a slight uptick in fire behavior with increased smoke production and some isolated flare-ups in the afternoon. Spotting distances will be 500 feet or less.

SMOKE

For the current smoke reports, visit https://www.airnow.gov/   

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES 

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has reduced evacuation orders for neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Sharrott Creek Fire to Evacuation Warnings. Download the Ravalli Co. Sheriff’s Office app for information or call 406-375-6650. The Bitterroot NF has issued an area closure from North Fork Sweeney Creek to Sweathouse Creek. See https://tinyurl.com/Sharrottclosurefor the order and map. There are temporary flight restrictions (TFR) over the fire area west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek.