Single Publication

River Road East Fire

Fact Sheet

NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 1

INCIDENT COMMANDER: BRENT OLSON

Phone: 406-345-5972

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-river-road-east-fire

Email: 2023.RiverRoadEast@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverroadeastfire

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at 10:00 am

Location:  6 miles east of Plains, Montana                                               

Start Date: 8/18/2023         

Cause: Unknown         

Size: 16,790 acres       

Containment: 0%          

Total Personnel: 383

Crews: 9

Engines: 23   

KEY MESSAGE: Steady rain fell over the fire area yesterday which subdued fire activity. This rain will not put the fire out but will provide firefighters with better opportunities to work on direct control lines. Fire suppression work will continue including line construction and burning operations. The amount of containment line required is high due to the overall size of the fire.

CURRENT STATUS: Fire activity was subdued yesterday due to rain across the fire area. An infrared flight was not done because of the cloud cover. The size of the fire will remain reported as 16,790 acres until weather conditions allow for a new infrared flight. On the northeast and east side of the fire in the Henry’s Creek and Camas Prairie areas, personnel started adjusting plans looking at opportunities to work on direct control lines. Crews continued to secure lines and monitor activity in the Highway 200 corridor and on the south and southwest sides of the fire. Fire personnel looked for indirect control line locations on the west side below Pat’s Knob. On the northwest corner a crew scouted for an opportunity to work directly along the fire’s edge. Overall, fire personnel used the rainy-day opportunity to patrol and explore control line opportunities that have the greatest chance of success for fire suppression. Structure protection continued to work on assessments and building a structure protection plan. The night shift remained on duty to patrol and monitor throughout the night.

PLANNED ACTIONS: If conditions allow, personnel and equipment will start moving towards the north side (Henry’s Creek) and east side (Camas Prairie) of the fire to start building direct line. Over on the southeast side, crews will work on accessing the remote area and evaluating control line options. Fire crews will patrol and monitor fire lines both north and south of the river and in the Highway 200 corridor. On the southwest side of the fire firefighters will start working on indirect control lines below and to the west of the Pat’s Knob Lookout and communication infrastructure site, On the northwest corner a hotshot crew will start working on some direct fire control line construction to keep the fire from moving farther north. A long-term fire suppression plan is being developed which includes identifying actions needed, risk to responders, and probability of success to accomplish fire containment. Aircraft will be utilized for fire suppression if weather and smoke conditions safely allow.

WEATHER: Rain showers are likely again today with partly cloudy weather conditions. Temperatures will range from 73-83 degrees in the valley and 63-73 degrees on the ridges. Relative humidity levels will be as low as 40-50%. Winds will be from the southwest at 10-15 mph.

 EVACUATIONS: For Evacuation updates please visit the Sanders County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064593409765. The Montana Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Church on the Move, 300 Clayton St., in Plains, MT