Incident Publication

 Burnt Peak Fire

Monsoonal moisture brough light rain, cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and higher relative humidity to the area on Tuesday.  Fire activity was moderate on the Burnt Peak Fire until late in the afternoon.  The fire grew about 2 00 acres, mainly towards the north, with some additional western movement.  It is backing down the north side of Burnt Peak, where vegetation is thick and terrain is difficult, making it unsafe for firefighters to work directly against the edge of the fire perimeter.  Firefighters continue progress on contingency lines along Iron Creek and the ridge to Grouse Mountain.  The existing containment lines are on the southern edge, bordering the Keeler/Rattle Road, the eastern edge, and a portion of the northern side, extending from the east.

Evacuations – Some residences in North Fork Keeler Creek have been placed in the Set category, on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be Ready to leave if evacuations are necessary.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes North Fork Keeler Creek (404), Keeler/Rattle Creek (473), and Lime Butte (4735) roads. Please reference maps for exact boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter. The current closure order and map can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7619/.

South Yaak Fire

Yesterday afternoon, the South Yaak Fire grew rapidly, spreading downhill and across slope, and growing 1,397 acres.  It spread to both sides of Kilbrennan Lake and crossed the road, moving towards Gunsight Mountain.  Given the cooler weather conditions, this fire behavior demonstrates the extreme fire danger and dry vegetation.  Firefighters focused their efforts around private property, turning on pumps and hoses, digging fireline by hand and with equipment, and conducting burnouts adjacent to roadways and firelines to lower fire intensity as it approaches.  They continued to patrol the existing containment lines, at the southernmost tip of the fire perimeter, to ensure rolling vegetation doesn’t compromise the successful work accomplished there so far.  Today’s weather is expected to be similar to yesterday’s.  Firefighters will identify additional locations for containment and contingency firelines.  Some resources are being shifted from Burnt Peak to South Yaak.

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residents on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  At this time, no structure damage has been reported.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes O'Brien Creek Road (752), North Fork O'Brien Creek (2380), Kilbrennan Lake Road (2394), Eastside Road (Lincoln County 176), and the Kilbrennan Lake Campground. Please reference maps for exact boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter. The current closure order and map can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7696/.

Ruby Fire

The Ruby Fire will continue to have firefighters work the fire to increase containment and suppression efforts. Firefighters and resources will concentrate their efforts in the same operations from the previous days with continued securing of the constructed fireline perimeter and working further interior into the fire to extinguish any remaining hotspots. InfraRed technology is being used very early this morning to assist firefighters with locating pockets of heat.

Wildfire Ready – Residents who live in the wildland urban interface should be prepared for the possibility of evacuations during fire season.  Be attentive to changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate if requested.  Visit the Montana DNRC Prevention and Preparedness website, http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/fire-and-aviation/fire-prevention-and-preparedness, for resources and information, including the Montana Ready, Set, Go Action Guide.

            Ready:  Preparing for the fire threat. 

            Set:  Situational awareness.  (Pre-evacuation)

            Go:  Leave early.  (Evacuation)

Code Red – Sign up for Code Red alerts on the Lincoln County webpage, http://lincolncountymt.us/.  Alerts will be sent for pre-evacuation and evacuation notices.

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place for Lincoln County and the Kootenai National Forest.  View the complete list of fire restrictions at https://www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai/.

Smoke – Outdoor activities and exertion should be avoided during periods of heavy smoke, including morning inversions.  Those with health sensitivities should be consult with health care providers and limit time outdoors.  For more information and air quality updates, visit the Montana DEQ website, https://deq.mt.gov/Air/FireUpdates/RelevantLinks, or https://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/

  

Burnt Peak Fire

On the Burnt Peak Fire, activity remained moderate throughout the day Wednesday.  Overnight rain raised humidity during the morning, but warmer afternoon temperatures returned and are expected to continue through Saturday.  Sunday, a cooling trend enters the region, bringing potential for .5” of rain.  While that isn’t enough moisture to put the fires out, it will provide firefighters a slight reprieve from the extreme conditions.

The fire moved further to the west today, across slope, and further to the north, backing down the north slope of Burnt Peak.  Limited resource availability and the steep terrain make direct actions along the fire perimeter unsuccessful and unsafe.  Firefighters continue to patrol the existing containment lines and to implement contingency strategies that will limit spread as the fire approaches natural or manmade features.

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek have been placed in the Set category, on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be Ready to leave if evacuations are necessary.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes North Fork Keeler Creek (404), Keeler/Rattle Creek (473), and Lime Butte (4735) roads. Please reference maps for boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7619/.
 

South Yaak Fire

Yesterday, firefighters continued work around structures along East Side and Kilbrennan Lake Roads to protect them from the South Yaak Fire.  They also checked Kilbrennan Lake Campground and Yaak Mountain Lookout, both of which are in good condition despite being within the fire perimeter.  The fire is continuing to move to the north and east.  Across the landscape, the fire has burned at varying intensities, which creates a mosaic and is beneficial to habitat and forest health.  Some areas have burned intensely, resulting in high vegetation mortality, while others have burned only the undergrowth.  Because of the rapid fire growth on Tuesday, firefighters are expanding their evaluation area to include Seventeen Mile Creek.  They are looking for terrain features and road systems that would be suitable  for containment and contingency lines. 

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residents on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  At this time, no structure damage has been reported.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes O'Brien Creek Road (752), North Fork O'Brien Creek (2380), Kilbrennan Lake Road (2394), Eastside Road (Lincoln County 176), and the Kilbrennan Lake Campground. Please reference maps for exact boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7696/.

Ruby Fire

The Ruby Fire will continue to have firefighters work the fire to increase containment and suppression efforts. Firefighters and resources will concentrate their efforts in the same operations from the previous days with continued securing of the constructed fireline perimeter and working further interior into the fire to extinguish any remaining hotspots. InfraRed technology is being used very early this morning to assist firefighters with locating pockets of heat.

Wildfire Ready – Residents who live in the wildland urban interface should be prepared for the possibility of evacuations during fire season.  Be attentive to changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate if requested.  Visit the Montana DNRC Prevention and Preparedness website, http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/fire-and-aviation/fire-prevention-and-preparedness, for resources and information, including the Montana Ready, Set, Go Action Guide.

            Ready:  Preparing for the fire threat. 

            Set:  Situational awareness.  (Pre-evacuation)

            Go:  Leave early.  (Evacuation)

Code Red – Sign up for Code Red alerts on the Lincoln County webpage, http://lincolncountymt.us/.  Alerts will be sent for pre-evacuation and evacuation notices.

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place for Lincoln County and the Kootenai National Forest.  View the complete list of fire restrictions at https://www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai/.

Smoke – Outdoor activities and exertion should be avoided during periods of heavy smoke, including morning inversions.  Those with health sensitivities should be consult with health care providers and limit time outdoors.  For more information and air quality updates, visit the Montana DEQ website, https://deq.mt.gov/Air/FireUpdates/RelevantLinks, or https://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/.

  

Burnt Peak Fire

On the Burnt Peak Fire, fire activity continued to move parallel, across the slope to the northwest, then made upslope runs towards Survey Mountain. It continues to back downslope into the North Fork of Keeler Creek on Thursday.  Drier weather is expected for the end of the week bringing a return of hot and extremely dry conditions.

Limited resource availability and the steep terrain make direct actions along the fire perimeter unsuccessful and unsafe.  Firefighters continue to patrol the existing containment lines and to implement contingency strategies that will limit spread as the fire approaches natural or manmade features.

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek have been placed in the Set category, on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be Ready to leave if evacuations are necessary.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes North Fork Keeler Creek (404), Keeler/Rattle Creek (473), and Lime Butte (4735) roads. Please reference maps for boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7619/.

South Yaak Fire

On the South Yaak Fire Thursday, the west side of the fire continued to move to the north, with vegetation rolling to the bottom of the slope causing fire to run back uphill towards the ridge. Fire on the east side of the fire was moving very rapidly, crossing Kilbrennan Lake Road between Kilbrennan and Skinner Lakes. The fire on the east side of the road has a high potential to keep spreading upslope to the east, towards Gunsight Mountain. Firefighters used burnout operations on the northwest corner to protect the private structures. Firefighters continued work around structures along East Side and Kilbrennan Lake Roads to protect them from the South Yaak Fire.  The fire is expected to continue spreading east of Kilbrennan Lake Road towards Gunsight Mountain and O'Brien Creek. A thermal belt kept the fire more active late into the night.

Today, firefighters plan to prep on roads East of the fire. Firefighters will continue to install pumps and continuing structure protection.

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residents on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  At this time, no structure damage has been reported.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes O'Brien Creek Road (752), North Fork O'Brien Creek (2380), Kilbrennan Lake Road (2394), Eastside Road (Lincoln County 176), and the Kilbrennan Lake Campground. Please reference maps for exact boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7696/.

Ruby Fire

The Ruby Fire will continue to have firefighters work the fire to increase containment and suppression efforts. Firefighters and resources will concentrate their efforts in the same operations from the previous days with continued securing of the constructed fireline perimeter and working further interior into the fire to extinguish any remaining hotspots. InfraRed technology is being used very early this morning to assist firefighters with locating pockets of heat.

Wildfire Ready – Residents who live in the wildland urban interface should be prepared for the possibility of evacuations during fire season.  Be attentive to changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate if requested.  Visit the Montana DNRC Prevention and Preparedness website, http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/fire-and-aviation/fire-prevention-and-preparedness, for resources and information, including the Montana Ready, Set, Go Action Guide.

               Ready:  Preparing for the fire threat. 

               Set:  Situational awareness.  (Pre-evacuation)

               Go:  Leave early.  (Evacuation)

Code Red – Sign up for Code Red alerts on the Lincoln County webpage, http://lincolncountymt.us/.  Alerts will be sent for pre-evacuation and evacuation notices.

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place for Lincoln County and the Kootenai National Forest.  View the complete list of fire restrictions at https://www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai/.

Smoke – Outdoor activities and exertion should be avoided during periods of heavy smoke, including morning inversions.  Those with health sensitivities should be consult with health care providers and limit time outdoors.  For more information and air quality updates, visit the Montana DEQ website, https://deq.mt.gov/Air/FireUpdates/RelevantLinks, or https://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/.

Please read the attached closure order for complete description and to see the map.  This order will be in effect from July 9, 2021, to December 31, 2021, or until rescinded.  

  

Burnt Peak Fire

The Burnt Peak fire was moderately active Friday, continuing moving northwest with backing, flanking, and uphill runs.

Today, crews will continue prepping the 473 road from the fire edge west to the forest boundary. Also, hand crews will construct direct fire line on the west side of the fire.

Firefighters are expecting the fire to be active on the west side of Burnt Peak today with an expected shift of winds from the East. Possible increased clouds may bring moisture and a chance for wetting rains through Saturday night and Sunday, which is expected to bring relief from the hot temperatures into the middle of next week.

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek have been placed in the Set category, on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be Ready to leave if evacuations are necessary.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes North Fork Keeler Creek (404), Keeler/Rattle Creek (473), and Lime Butte (4735) roads. Please reference maps for boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7619/.

South Yaak Fire

The South Yaak fire spread to the east on Friday with occasional torching and spotting up to ½ mile with short to moderate duration crown fire runs. The containment percentage dropped from 20% yesterday to 10% today due to the growth in acres yesterday.

Today, firefighters plan to continue improving Eastside Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road to use as holding lines for the fire. Engines will continue preparation work near structures along Eastside Rd, Kilbrennan Lake Rd, and O'Brien Creek area. If conditions allow, firefighters will conduct firing operations on the east and west sides of the fire. Fire engines will continue structure assessments and preparation near the 17 Mile creek residences.

Possible increased clouds may bring moisture and a chance for wetting rains through Saturday night and Sunday, which is expected to bring relief from the hot temperatures into the middle of next week.

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residents on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  At this time, no structure damage has been reported.

Closures – For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an updated area closure on July 30, 2021 that includes O'Brien Creek Road (752), North Fork O'Brien Creek (2380), Kilbrennan Lake Road (2394), Eastside Road (Lincoln County 176), and a portion of the Forest Service jurisdiction NFSR 471 (the western portion through private property is Lincoln County jurisdiction). The Kilbrennan Lake Campground and Yaak Lookout are also closed. Please reference maps for exact boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7696/62353/

For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Kootenai National Forest enacted an area closure that includes O'Brien Creek Road (752), North Fork O'Brien Creek (2380), Kilbrennan Lake Road (2394), Eastside Road (Lincoln County 176), and the Kilbrennan Lake Campground. Please reference maps for exact boundaries and respect any roadblocks you encounter:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7696/.

Burnt Peak Fire     

Yesterday, the Burnt Peak Fire spread on the west side of the fire. Crews completed much of the prepping work on the 473 road from the fire edge west to the forest boundary. Crews discontinued direct line construction on the northwest side yesterday due to hazardous terrain and unfavorable weather. Today, crews will continue creating direct and indirect line on the northeast side of the fire in the Callahan Road area. The fire is expected to be more active this morning than previous days due to the inversion lifting earlier.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected this evening into the early hours on Monday. Precipitation is expected to accompany any storms, limiting the overall threat for dry lightning. Temperatures are expected to be cooler today with winds out of the south. Lower temperatures during the early part of the week will also be accompanied by higher winds which may cause increased spotting rates. Expected wetting rains may trigger rock falls and muddy roads throughout the fire area. 

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek have been placed in the Set category, on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be Ready to leave if evacuations are necessary. 

 

South Yaak Fire

Yesterday, firefighters improved Eastside Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road to use as holding lines for the fire. Engines did preparation work near structures along Eastside Road, Kilbrennan Lake Road, and O'Brien Creek. Today, fire personnel along the US Forest Service boundary will engage in partnering with landowners’ own efforts in preparation near the 17 Mile Creek and Eastside Road areas.  

Firefighters will begin preparation about 1.5 miles north of fire perimeter and along Eastside Road. Eastside Road and the Kilbrennan Lake Road will be holding features. They will conduct firing operations as conditions allow on the east and west sides of the fire, and around Kilbrennan Lake residences. The fire is expected to be more active this morning than in previous days due to the inversion lifting earlier.  

Showers and thunderstorms are expected this evening into the early hours on Monday. Precipitation is expected to accompany any storms, limiting the overall threat for dry lightning. Temperatures are expected to be cooler today with winds out of the south. Expected lower temperatures during the early part of the week will also be accompanied by higher winds which may cause increased spotting rates. Expected wetting rains may trigger rock falls and muddy roads, especially in the southern Kilbrennan Lake area. 

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residents on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  At this time, no structure damage has been reported. 

Weather – Last night brought 0.1 inches of wetting rain but only to the northeast corner of the South Yaak fire. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in both fire areas will remain through midday. Temperatures will be cooler with higher humidity. Residents and visitors should exercise caution when driving as roads in the area are slick. Warmer and drier conditions are expected to move back into the area by Tuesday. 

Burnt Peak Fire

Yesterday, the Burnt Peak Fire continued to spread on the northwest side of the fire. Crews completed much of the prep work on the Keeler-Rattle Creek Road (NFSR 473) from the fire’s edge west to the forest boundary. Crews discontinued direct line construction on the northwest side due to hazardous terrain and unfavorable weather. 

Today, crews will continue creating indirect line along the Callahan Road area since the fire has moved into Benning Creek drainage. The fire team will continue to utilize heavy equipment to construct indirect fire line northeast of the fire along Copper Mountain Road.

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek have been placed on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be ready to leave if evacuations are necessary.   

South Yaak Fire  

Yesterday, firefighters improved East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road to use as holding lines. Engines did preparation work near structures along East Side Road, Kilbrennan Lake Road, O'Brien Creek and the 752 road. The fire crossed over the top of Gunsight Mountain as it slowly progressed. Firing operations along the 4408 road went well. 

Today, fire managers expect subdued fire behavior, mostly along the ground, due to higher relative humidity. They will identify and suppress spot fires from any rollout overnight. Crews will continue preparations along the U.S. Forest Service boundary near residences in the 17 Mile Creek area. Hand crews, engines and dozers will conduct firing operations to tackle any fire progression, and around Kilbrennan Lake residences, as conditions allow.  

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residents on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  At this time, no structure damage has been reported. 

Yesterday evening, over 100 people attended or watched a live broadcast of a public meeting held at the Three Rivers Ranger District in Troy. Fire managers and cooperating agencies provided an update on emergency preparedness, pre-evacuation and evacuation procedures, current fire status, and future outlook. A recording of the meeting is available to watch on the Kootenai National Forest Facebook page.

Hand crews have been requested to replace outgoing crews, but are in very short supply nationally. The heavy equipment will continue to aggressively work on fuel breaks and containment lines.

Weather – A warming and drying trend is expected over the next couple days. Smoke will settle back into the lowlands with overnight temperature inversions. Poor visibility will limit use of aircraft. By Thursday, a Pacific system will begin moving into the northwestern region bringing cooler temperatures, breezy westerly winds, higher humidity, and another chance of rainfall.

Burnt Peak Fire

Yesterday, there was minimal fire spread. Heavy equipment made good progress constructing indirect fire line northeast of the fire perimeter along Copper Mountain Road. Today, crews will continue to utilize heavy equipment to reinforce indirect fire lines in this area as well as along Callahan Road.

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek are on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be ready to leave if evacuations are necessary.

South Yaak Fire

 

Yesterday, crews made outstanding progress in creating a fuel break south of the 17 Mile Creek subdivision in the Saddle Creek area. Burnout operations conducted on the northwest side of the fire are looking good with fire backing slowly downhill to the East Side Road, which will be used as a containment line.

Today, the fire is likely to be most active around Gunsight Mountain. Crews will finish fuel break work in Saddle Creek and begin opening up and clearing old roads to the south around Arbo Creek to establish a new indirect fire line. Prep work along East Side Road will continue and engines will conduct firing operations north of Kilbrennan Lake residences as conditions allow. Fire managers appreciate all the work that private property owners are taking to reduce hazardous fuels and reinforce defensible space around their homes.

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residences on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  Residences in Pine Creek, 17 Mile Creek, and Sylvanite are on pre-evacuation notice.

 

There is no change in acres because an infrared flight was not available last night to measure the active fire perimeter. There has been continuous radiant heat over both fires over the past couple days and managers expect an increase in fire acreage after the next available infrared flight.

Weather – Today will bring warmer, drier, windier conditions and more active fire behavior is expected by mid to late afternoon. In the higher elevations, humidity recovery will be much lower than yesterday as moisture from the last rain event has evaporated. Smoke has settled into the valleys but will gradually diminish throughout the day allowing use of aircraft to support firefighters on the ground. A significant change in weather is expected by the end of week, bringing much cooler temperatures, increased winds, higher humidity, and another chance for rainfall.

Burnt Peak Fire

Yesterday minimal fire behavior was observed and fire continues to back down Survey Mountain towards Benning Creek to the west and from Burnt Peak towards North Fork Keeler Creek to the north. Today, fire managers will continue to utilize heavy equipment in constructing an indirect fire line northeast of the fire on private lands between Pattie Hill Road and Iron Grouse Road.

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek are on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be ready to leave if evacuations are necessary.

South Yaak Fire

Yesterday, fire behavior was minimal to moderate with backing, flanking and slow upslope spread over much of the fire area. Firefighters will finish creating a fuel break south of the 17 Mile Creek subdivision and begin moving equipment into the Yaak River corridor to start prep work around structures along the Yaak River Road (MT-508) south of 17 Mile Creek. Today, crews will continue prep work along the 752 Road east towards the junction with Rabbit O’Brien Road. On the northwest side of the fire, crews will continue to monitor fire backing downhill to the East Side Road and clear away any rollout. Due to moist fuel conditions, night crews were unable to conduct burnout operations north of Kilbrennan Lake Road and will try again this evening.

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residences on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  Residences in Pine Creek, 17 Mile Creek, and Sylvanite are on pre-evacuation notice.

Fire managers are grateful for the numerous donation offers to firefighters, however due to federal regulations we cannot accept any donations at fire camp. Donations can be made to local organizations such as volunteer fire departments, food pantries, and the Red Cross.

Warm and dry conditions will persist today and fire managers expect more active fire behavior by afternoon. A storm system forecast for west central Montana could reach as far north as the Kootenai River drainage, bringing gusty outflow winds and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms over the two fire areas. Clearer skies will again allow helicopters to fly and support firefighters on the ground. A significant change in weather is expected by Friday bringing cooler temperatures, gusty southwesterly winds, higher humidity, and another chance of rainfall. 

Burnt Peak Fire 

Yesterday, minimal to moderate fire behavior was observed and fire continues to back down Survey Mountain towards Benning Creek to the west and from Burnt Peak towards North Fork Keeler Creek to the north. More active fire behavior is expected today. Indirect fire line construction is nearly complete along Copper Mountain Road and crews will begin prep work along the Callahan Creek Road to use as indirect fire line to prevent fire spread north of Callahan Creek.  

Evacuations – Residences in North Fork Keeler Creek are on pre-evacuation notice. All area residents should be ready to leave if evacuations are necessary. 

South Yaak Fire 

Yesterday, fire behavior was minimal to moderate with backing, flanking and slow upslope spread over much of the fire area. Initial structure assessments were completed along the Yaak River Road (MT-508) from the Yaak Falls area north to Sylvanite. On the southeast flank of the fire, crews were successful in conducting burnout operations north of Kilbrennan Lake Road. 

Today, crews will continue constructing a fire break south of the 17 Mile Creek subdivision and start moving heavy equipment south along the East Side Road to begin road prep work. Firing operations will also continue further south to bring fire safely down to the East Side Road which will be used as a containment line. Brushing and chipping operations along the 752 Road east towards the junction with Rabbit O’Brien Road will also continue.  

Evacuations – Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted mandatory evacuations for all residences on East Side Road and Kilbrennan Lake Road.  Residences in Pine Creek, 17 Mile Creek, and Sylvanite are on pre-evacuation notice.