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Black Mountain Fire Update - 6:00 p.m. 08-03-2024
Black Mountain
Publication Type: News - 08/03/2024 - 18:37
Northern Rockies Team 8, a Type III Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Brad Bergman assumed command of the fire at 6:00 AM on August 2, 2024.
Current Status
Through hundreds of hours of hard work, firefighters have successfully kept the Black Mountain Fire from moving towards the Stonewall Creek subdivision and other state and private properties. The fire is ‘boxed in’ with direct and indirect fireline constructed around the entire fire perimeter. Ample water is available to crews via hose lays or skidgeons (a cross between a logging skidder and a fire engine) to aid in holding and improving the various firelines.
Firefighters focused on reinforcing the indirect fireline constructed by dozers and feller bunchers, north and south of the fire from the 819 trail to the ‘Plantation Road’ which is approximately ½ mile south of Forest Service Road 4106. Type 1 crews, or ‘Hot Shots,’ completed strategic firing operations yesterday and today using fire as a tool to remove fuels between the uncontrolled fire edge and completed indirect fireline. Support from Type 2 crews and aircraft aided the successful firing operations. Firefighters also successfully held the southern end of the fire along the 819 trail, spreading out to patrol the line and apply water as needed.
In the early morning hours, the Helena Hot Shots located an area of heat approximately ¼ mile east of the main fire and successfully squelched the burning stump.
Current smoke in the area was produced by firing operations yesterday and today as well as smoke drifting in from fires in Oregon and Washington.
Weather Outlook
Hot and dry weather is predicted again for Sunday along with the potential for thunderstorms with gusty outflow winds and possible lightning.
Evacuations and Closures
Evacuations: Per the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office, an Evacuation Warning remains in effect. The following area is open to RESIDENTS ONLY: North of Lone Point Dr and Tamarack. North of North Lincoln Gulch/Morris Dr. North of the intersection of Beaver Creek Rd and Stonewall Creek and all feeder roads north of that intersection.
Closures:The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest issued a road, trail, and area closure order. The closure order and map is posted on Inciweb, Black Mountain Fire.
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