Single Publication

Northern Rockies Team 5, Incident Commander Joe Sampson 

Location: Three miles west of Stevensville, Montana

State Date: 8/23/2024

Cause: Lightning

Size: 3,193

Completion: 36%

Total Personnel: 354

Current Status 

Crews continue improving constructed line along the northern-most point of the fire near the head of Larson Creek. To the west, crews are using natural barriers to hold the fire within its current footprint. Engines will continue to patrol the fire's eastern edge to check for any areas of residual heat. Crews are using water to cool hot spots and “mop up” along the southern-most point of the fire west towards the St. Mary’s Trailhead. Helicopters will be available to assist ground crews with water drops, as necessary. Fire activity in the Sharrott Creek drainage at 8,200 feet continues to burn pockets of available fuel towards the Bitterroot-Selway Wilderness. Some structure protection measures (pumps and hoses) have been removed along the southeastern edge of the fire perimeter.

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue today with southwest wind gusts reaching 20 to 25 mph in the valley and higher gusts possible along the ridgetops. Temperatures will remain in the mid to high 70s in the high elevations. The majority of the fire’s movement will be in the upper slopes where dry, subalpine fir has the potential to torch and cause short-range spotting up to ½ mile.

Thermal belts overnight resulted in poor relative humidity of 45 percent; relative humidity recoveries are expected to increase to 75 percent in the following days. A strong system will bring precipitation on Wednesday with up to 2 inches of rain possible in the fire area, followed by a possible cold front which could slow fire activity towards the end of the week. 

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES  

-The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Sharrott Creek Fire. Sign up for evacuation alerts at http://hyper-reach.com/mtravallisignup.html

- Area closures are in effect from North Fork Sweeney Creek to Sweathouse Creek. More information on Bitterroot National Forest area closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bitterroot/alerts-notices 

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

- A Temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek.