Incident Publication

Current Situation

On the Divide Complex, the Balsinger Fire was under heavy smoke all day due to an inversion. Active fire behavior continued, with backing and flanking on the north side near Thunder Mountain, and active fire with strong flanking and some running fire on the southeastern side. The fire also continued to burn through fuel on the east side, although it didn’t make much progress. Fire danger and potential for high rates of spread remained high. Visibility prevented aviation resources from flying over the fire yesterday. 

Protecting the communities of Belt Park, Deer Creek Estates, Monarch, Neihart and the Hwy. 89 corridor remains the priority. Weather permitting, aviation resources will continue to support fire suppression efforts. In addition, mechanized equipment will be used wherever possible to establish and improve control lines to minimize risk and exposure to firefighters. Structure protection will continue to focus on working with residents in Belt Park, Monarch and Neihart to secure buildings and other structures.

On the Ellis Fire, firefighters will continue to mop up and patrol for hot spots, as well as hold and improve containment lines.

The American Fork Fire continues to move and grow to the west and south. Fire danger remains very high and conditions persist for very active fire behavior and significant spread. Yesterday, firefighters worked to hold the fire’s southern edge during the day with strategic firing operations and by constructing fireline. Along the northwest edge and along the ridge tops, aviation resources worked to hold the fire in place. Today firefighters will continue suppression operations along the east and south boundary of the fire, as well as prepare for structure protection for structures south of the fire. Aviation resources will continue to pick up spot fires. Equipment ordered by the incident management team is finally arriving.

Evacuation Notices

• An evacuation order for Belt Park, issued by the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, remains in place. 
• A pre-evacuation order was issued for the area from the Belt Creek Ranger Station to Monarch and from west of Monarch to the confluence of Pilgrim Creek and Belt Creek. 

Weather

A weak front moved into the area yesterday afternoon, bringing cooler temperatures and a chance for an isolated shower or storm in the next several days with lightning and strong erratic winds gusting to 45 mph. This front will also help to raise minimum RH values into the 30s for much of the week.

Resources

The Divide Complex has 177 personnel including crews, aircraft, engines, dozers, masticators, fell bunchers, skidders, an ambulance and water tenders. The American Fork Fire has 183 personnel including crews, engines, dozers, a water tender, a masticator and an excavator. Private rancher dozers, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and Cascade County are also supporting suppression efforts. 

Closures 

The Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is closing the following area for public safety near the Balsinger Fire:

• All National Forest Systems lands within the boundary of the following area, except Forest Service (FS) Roads 839 and 268: 
• From the junction of Monarch and Hwy 89 heading south and all lands west of Hwy. 89 following FS Road 3412 south to junction of FS Road 839;
• Then west and north along FS Road 839 to the junction of FS Road 586 and along the Harley Park Connector trail to the intersection of FS Road 586;
• Then moving west connecting to Trail 347, following Trail 347 to where it meets Trail 342;
• Then following Tenderfoot Creek west to Trail 343, following Trail 343 to Trail 341;
• Then north along Trail 341 to the intersection of FS Road 268 and FS Road 839, following FS Road 839 north connecting with Trail 304. 

• Additional area closures, including trail closures, are in place on the Balsinger Fire and on the American Fork Fire (map) including Big Elk Creek Trail and Trailhead. 
• Temporary flight restrictions remain in place on the Balsinger Fire and American Fork Fire.

Advisories

• Help prevent additional fire starts by following all campfire restrictions and fire-related closures.
• The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Custer Gallatin National Forest are under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which includes the use of charcoal grills. The Custer Gallatin also has restricted campfires in all locations. Visit www.MTFireInfo.org for statewide fire restriction information. 
• Visit www.airnow.gov for more information on air quality near you.

Current Situation

On the Divide Complex, cooler temperatures helped to moderate Balsinger Fire activity yesterday. In addition, southeasterly winds helped to decrease the immediate threat to the Belt Park, Deer Creek Estates, Monarch, Neihart and Hwy. 89 corridor communities yesterday. These winds also pushed the fire back on itself, causing it to burn interior fuels. On the west side, a Hot Shot Crew worked around the edges of the fire cold trailing and building line. 

Today, moderate rates of spread and slow growth to the north are expected on the Balsinger Fire. Structure protection east and west of the fire will remain the priority. Aviation resources and mechanized equipment will continue to support fire suppression efforts and improve control lines to minimize risk and exposure to firefighters. Crews will use tactical firing operations to keep the fire west of Belt Park and the surrounding communities. They will continue to reassess the fire perimeter to improve existing or establish new anchor points and continue preparation work on Divide Road.

The Ellis Fire continues to smolder on the interior. Firefighters will continue to look for areas where containment lines are controlled.

The American Fork Fire continues to cool on the northeast side. However, southeast winds caused the fire to make a significant run to the west into the Shields Creek drainage area, triggering a pre-evacuation order for residences in the Shields River Road area. Continued south winds today could force the evacuation of that area. A few hot spots also popped up near the South Fork and American River where crews worked on tying the fire in with the rocks in the southeast corner, putting in preliminary line and putting fire on the ground when needed.

Today, fire danger remains high and conditions persist for active fire behavior. The primary focus will be structure protection for the Shields Creek Drainage area and holding constructed line along the eastern perimeter. Aviation resources will continue to pick up spots and help with structure protection on the western side of the fire.

Transition- New

A transition meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. today with the Southern Area Incident Management Red Team, a Type 1 Team, that will assume command of the fire on Saturday July 31, 2021.

Evacuation Notices

• An evacuation order for Belt Park, issued by the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, remains in place. 
• A pre-evacuation order was issued for the area from the Belt Creek Ranger Station to Monarch and from west of Monarch to the confluence of Pilgrim Creek and Belt Creek. 

Weather

A weak front moved into the area yesterday afternoon, bringing cooler temperatures and a chance for an isolated shower or storm in the next several days with lightning and strong erratic winds gusting to 45 mph. This front will also help to raise minimum RH values into the 30s for much of the week.

Resources

The Divide Complex has 177 personnel including crews, aircraft, engines, a dozer, excavators, fell bunchers, skidders, an ambulance, water tenders and a tracked vehicle. The American Fork Fire has 192 personnel including crews, engines, dozers, a water tender, a masticator and an excavator. Private rancher dozers, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Cascade County and Meagher County are also supporting suppression efforts.  . 

Closures 

The Custer-Gallatin National Forest has expanded its closure order for the American Fork Fire. 

The Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is closing the following area for public safety near the Balsinger Fire:

• All National Forest Systems lands within the boundary of the following area, except Forest Service (FS) Roads 839 and 268: 
• From the junction of Monarch and Hwy. 89 heading south and all lands west of Hwy. 89 following FS Road 3412 south to junction of FS Road 839;
• Then west and north along FS Road 839 to the junction of FS Road 586 and along the Harley Park Connector trail to the intersection of FS Road 586;
• Then moving west connecting to Trail 347, following Trail 347 to where it meets Trail 342;
• Then following Tenderfoot Creek west to Trail 343, following Trail 343 to Trail 341;
• Then north along Trail 341 to the intersection of FS Road 268 and FS Road 839, following FS Road 839 north connecting with Trail 304. 

Temporary flight restrictions remain in place on the Balsinger Fire and American Fork Fire.

Advisories

• Help prevent additional fire starts by following all campfire restrictions and fire-related closures.
• The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Custer Gallatin National Forest are under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which includes the use of charcoal grills. The Custer Gallatin also has restricted campfires in all locations. Visit www.MTFireInfo.org for statewide fire restriction information. 
• Visit www.airnow.gov for more information on air quality near you.

Current Situation

On the Divide Complex, clouds and cooler temperatures moderated fire behavior yesterday. On the northwest side of the Balsinger Fire, crews tied fireline into the rock outcrops and the dozer line in Belt Park, as well as conducted tactical firing operations. On the west side, firefighters worked to suppress hotspots. Firefighters completed heavy equipment work along Divide Road and will continue hauling debris out today. They also will continue work to keep the fire west of Belt Park and continue structure protection on the west side.

Conditions on the Ellis Fire continued to improve though a few hotspots popped up along the edges yesterday. Today, firefighters will continue mopping up and improving containment lines.

Yesterday on the American Fork Fire, crews tied line into rocks in the southeast corner and worked to build handlines as a contingency in the Sweet Grass Creek drainage. Firefighters set up sprinklers around homes and completed other structure protection tasks on the west side of the fire, south of Shields River. In addition, they continued to assess the fire’s movement around Smith’s Creek. Today, crews will work to construct fireline along the southern edge of the fire, hold the line in the east and continue structure protection on the west side.

Transition

The Southern Area Incident Management Red Team, a Type 1 Team, will assume command of the fire at 7 a.m. on Saturday July 31, 2021.

Evacuation Notices

• A pre-evacuation order remains in place for the residences in the Shields River Road area.
• An evacuation order for Belt Park, issued by the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, remains in place. 
• A pre-evacuation order was issued for the area from the Belt Creek Ranger Station to Monarch and from west of Monarch to the confluence of Pilgrim Creek and Belt Creek.

Weather

Temperatures were cooler yesterday with increased relative humidity and overcast skies. Thunderstorm chances are diminished today with some isolated showers and thunderstorms possible in the afternoons. Ridgetop winds will turn from the north today and east on Saturday. 

Resources

The Divide Complex has 218 personnel including crews, aircraft, engines, dozers, water tenders, excavators, fell bunchers, skidders and an ambulance. The American Fork Fire has 266 personnel including crews, engines, dozers and water tenders. Private rancher dozers, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Cascade County, Meagher County, Park County, Sweet Grass County and Wheatland County are also supporting suppression efforts. 

Closures  (NEW)

1. The Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has expanded the closure area for the Balsinger Fire (NEW)
2. The temporary flight restriction (TFR) for the American Fork Fire has been expanded (NEW). 
3. The existing TFR remains in place on the Balsinger Fire.
4. The Custer-Gallatin National Forest has expanded its closure order for the American Fork Fire (map). 

Advisories

• Help prevent additional fire starts by following all campfire restrictions and fire-related closures.
• The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Custer Gallatin National Forest are under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, which includes the use of charcoal grills. The Custer Gallatin also has restricted campfires in all locations. Visit www.MTFireInfo.org for statewide fire restriction information. 
• Visit www.airnow.gov for more information on air quality near you.

A community meeting for information on the American Fork Fire will be held Sunday at 7:00 p.m. at the fairgrounds in Wilsall, MT.

The Southern Area Incident Management Red Team, a Type 1 Team, joined command of the fire at 7 a.m. on Saturday July 31, 2021. Acreages of fires reflect IR flight taken this morning.

 

American Fork Fire    inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7681

Acreage: 14,397 Containment: 10% Start date: July 17, 2021 Cause: Lightning Personnel: 226
The American Fork fire is burning northeast of the Crazy Mountains, 24 miles southwest of Harlowton. The northwest part of the fire in the Shields River drainage was most active yesterday with fire moving down timber stringers into more open areas, but overall growth was minimal. Some spot fires burned south of the Shields River but did not expand much. Firefighters will continue to scout for fireline locations in the Shields River drainage today. Helicopter bucket work helped cool hot spots in the Sweetwater area yesterday. Existing roads and constructed fireline to the east and northeast of the fire have been preventing fire progression in that direction and protecting structures. To the south, rocky areas with sparse vegetation are helping firefighters check fire spread. The 2017 Blacktail Fire footprint should temper fire progression to the north. Firefighters will continue building firelines there today. Firefighters will fight the fire directly as necessary in areas without roads or natural barriers.

Balsinger and Ellis fires  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7624    inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7625

Acreage: Balsinger 8,511 Ellis 1,227 Containment: 26% Start date: July 8, 2021 Cause: Balsinger -Lightning; Ellis – under investigation. Personnel: 227

The Balsinger Fire is burning about seven miles west of Neihart. Fire activity was moderate yesterday with limited growth. Firefighters used helicopter water drops effectively to cool hot spots yesterday afternoon, particularly in the northeast and southwest areas of the fire. Some tactical burning operations on the north side of the fire helped with structure protection. Logging equipment removed some trees along key roads to create shaded fire breaks. Additional helicopter work, particularly in the Thunder Mountain area, should help cool advancing fire and hot spots today. The Tillinghast Creek drainage on the east side of the fire remains an area of concern. Firefighters will increase focus on structure preparation and protection there today. The southeast corner of the fire was active yesterday. Firefighters continue to build fireline in that area. Night crews are assigned for overnight monitoring of the fire.
 
 

The Ellis Fire, about 2.5 miles southwest of Smith River, had limited fire activity yesterday. Crews continue to mop up hot spots near the edge of the fire.  Firefighters will monitor the fire from aircraft today.

Woods Creek Fire inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7649

Acreage: 15,252 Containment: 0% Start date: July 10, 2021 Cause: Lightning Personnel: 129

The Woods Creek fire is in the Big Belt Mountains, about 16 miles northeast of Townsend. Southeast winds last night caused a significant push of the fire to the northwest. Firefighters were able to stop the advance when the fire moved out of timber into open grassy areas. Firefighters will secure flanks and mop up hot spots on that area this morning. Retardant drops from air tankers helped yesterday to protect a historic ranger station and a radio repeater. Additional drops today will protect a powerline crossing the fire area. Helicopter bucket drops cooled hotspots yesterday in the Duck Creek drainage. Firefighters continue to focus efforts on that area today, particularly for structure protection. A structure protection group and two hotshot crews moved to this fire from other fires in the complex. Firefighters will monitor the fire overnight.

Evacuation Notices

·         A pre-evacuation order remains in place for the residences in the Shields River Road area.

·         An evacuation order for Belt Park, issued by the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, remains in place.

·         A pre-evacuation order was issued for the area from the Belt Creek Ranger Station to Monarch and from west of Monarch to the confluence of Pilgrim Creek and Belt Creek.

·         The Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order in connection with the Woods Creek Fire.

Weather

Mostly clear skies in the morning will give way to increasing clouds, with a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Temperatures will remain above average, reaching the upper 70s on ridges and lower 80s in valleys.  Minimum relative humidities will be in the mid to upper 20s. Terrain-driven winds along slopes and valleys will be about 8 to 10 mph, while ridgetop winds will push from the east-southeast at 15 to 20 mph, gusting to 35 mph. Erratic wind gusts up to 40 mph are possible with any shower or storm. Humidity should recover well tonight, with low temperatures in the 50s. Partly sunny skies are forecasted for Sunday, with a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and highs in the 70s. Moister air will develop starting Monday, with increased chances of wetting rains and thunderstorms.

Closures

1.       Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) remain in place for the American Fork Fire and the Balsinger Fire.

2.       The Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest expanded the closure area for the Balsinger Fire on July 29.

3.       The closure order for the part of the American Fork fire  on the Custer-Gallatin National Forests was updated on July 29 (map).

4.       The Big Elk Creek Trail (#640) on the part of the American Fork fire  on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest remains in place.

5.       The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest issued an area closure for the Woods Creek Fire on July 26, 2021.

Advisories

·         Help prevent additional fire starts by following all campfire restrictions and fire-related closures.

·         NEW: As of July 30, most of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has moved to stage 2 fire restrictions.

·         Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place for the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The Custer Gallatin has also restricted campfires in all locations.

·         Visit www.MTFireInfo.org for statewide fire restriction information.

·         Visit the AirNow.gov website for more information on air quality near you.

Announcement: Community Meetings Scheduled for Divide Complex, American Fork and Woods Creek Fires.

Prior to the meetings, links to live-streaming will be posted on the for the Custer-Gallatin and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Facebook pages as well as Inciweb.

A meeting will be held on Sunday, August 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds in Wilsall to give an update on the status of the American Fork Fire.

Additional community meetings scheduled:

• Monday, August 2 at 6:00 p.m., White Sulphur Springs School Football Field for the Woods Creek Fire

• Monday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m., Neihart Community Park for the Balsinger Fire

• Monday, August 2 at 8:00 p.m., Watson Event Center in Townsend for the Woods Creek Fire

• Tuesday, August 3 at 7:00 p.m., 191 Café in Melville for the American Fork Fire

For more information call 406-426-9612.

Divide Complex Daily Update

Sunday August 1, 2021

American Fork, Balsinger, Ellis and Woods Creek fires

Note New Phone: 406-426-9612 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/HLCNF

     www.facebook.com/CGNF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LewisandClarkNF

Email:  2021.divide@firenet.gov

A community meeting for information on the American Fork Fire will be held Sunday at 7PM at the rodeo grounds in Wilsall, MT.  On Monday, a community meeting will be held for the Woods Creek Fire at the White Sulphur Springs football field at 6PM and at the Watson Event Center in Townsend at 8PM.  Tuesday (8/3), there will be a community meeting for the American Fork fire in Melville at the 191 Café at 7PM.

American Fork Fire inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7681

Acreage: 14,397 Containment: 10% Start date: July 17, 2021 Cause: Lightning Personnel: 181
The American Fork fire is burning northeast of the Crazy Mountains, about 24 miles southwest of Harlowton, Montana. The fire was active in the south and west sections with some spotting north of the Shields River Road. In the Shields River drainage fire moved down timber stringers into more open areas, but overall growth was minimal. The fire moved southeast of the Crandall Cabin, triggering the Meagher County Sherriff’s office to issue a mandatory evacuation of the Smith Creek subdivision. Firefighters are protecting structures in the area and will continue to work overnight to protect them. They are working on structure protection in the Harley Creek drainage in the event that the fire spreads to the southeast. The 2017 Blacktail Fire footprint should temper fire progression to the north. Firefighters will fight the fire directly as necessary in areas without roads or natural barriers.

Balsinger and Ellis fires  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7624    inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7625

Acreage: Balsinger 8,511 Ellis 1,227 Containment: 26% Start date: July 8, 2021 Cause: Balsinger -Lightning; Ellis – under investigation. Personnel: 308

The Balsinger Fire is burning about seven miles west of Neihart, Montana. Fire activity was moderate yesterday with some movement to the north. Firefighters used helicopter water drops effectively to cool hot spots. Today they will work in the Tillinghast Creek/Pilgrim Creek and Monarch Mountain areas and focus on improving line at the northwest side of the fire in advance of southeast winds. They continue to focus on structure preparation and protection in the Tillinghast Creek drainage. Night crews will monitor the fire overnight to protect structures.

The Ellis Fire, about 2.5 miles southwest of Smith River, Montana, continues to show limited fire activity. This fire is in patrol status with daily monitoring by aircraft and engine patrols.

Woods Creek Fire inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7649

Acreage: 15,250 Containment: 0% Start date: July 10, 2021 Cause: Lightning Personnel: 109

The Woods Creek fire is in the Big Belt Mountains, about 16 miles northeast of Townsend, Montana. Firefighters were able to stop the advance when the fire moved out of timber into open grassy areas near Clear Creek. Firefighters continue to secure this area and are providing structure protection for the Thompson Guard Station, communications equipment, a powerline corridor and structures in the Confederate Gulch area, A mandatory evacuation order issued by the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office remains in place for the Woods Creek Fire, covering everything east of Highway 284 between Gravely Lane on the north and Dry Gulch Road on the south. Ray Creek is on high alert. Highway 284 remains open at this time.

Divide Complex Daily Update – page 2

Evacuation Notices

·       A pre-evacuation order remains in place for the residences in the Shields River Road area.

·       An evacuation order for Smith Creek subdivision was issued by the Meagher County Sheriff’s Office, was issued on Saturday, 7/31.

·       An evacuation order for Belt Park, issued by the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, remains in place.

·       A pre-evacuation order was issued for the area from the Belt Creek Ranger Station to Monarch and from west of Monarch to the confluence of Pilgrim Creek and Belt Creek.

·       The Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order in connection with the Woods Creek Fire.

·       A pre-evacuation order was issued by Meagher County Sheriff for the Smith River corridor from Camp Baker to the confluence with Blacktail Creek.

Weather

Mostly clear skies in the morning with increasing clouds bringing chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Above average temperatures with relative humidity in the high 20s. Moister air will develop starting Monday, with increased chances of wetting rains and thunderstorms. Erratic winds and flash flooding are possible moving into Tuesday, so firefighters and the public should be cautious around low-lying areas subject to flooding.

Closures

1.     Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) remain in place for the American Fork Fire and the Balsinger Fire.

2.     The Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest expanded the closure area for the Balsinger Fire on July 29.

3.     The closure order for the part of the American Fork fire  on the Custer-Gallatin National Forests was updated on July 29 (map).

4.     The Big Elk Creek Trail (#640) on the part of the American Fork fire  on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest remains in place.

5.     The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest issued an area closure for the Woods Creek Fire on July 26, 2021.

Advisories

·       Help prevent additional fire starts by following all campfire restrictions and fire-related closures.

·       As of July 30, most of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has moved to stage 2 fire restrictions.

·       Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place for the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The Custer Gallatin has also restricted campfires in all locations.

·       Visit www.MTFireInfo.org for statewide fire restriction information.

·       Visit the AirNow.gov website for more information on air quality near you.

Divide Complex Daily Update

Monday, August 2, 2021

American Fork, Balsinger, Ellis and Woods Creek fires

Phone: 406-426-9612 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/HLCNF

 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:   The community meetings scheduled for this evening at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm in White Sulphur Springs, Niehart, and Townsend have been postponed due to the weather forecast.   

Tonight, we will host a virtual meeting at 1900 to cover #DividecomplexFire, #WoodsCreekFire, and #AmericanForkFire via ZOOM (streamed to Facebook live).   Please join us on ZOOM or Facebook.

To join via ZOOM, please download the ZOOM app prior to the meeting and enter the meeting ID.  

Meeting ID: 161 614 9936

Or call in to one of the following numbers:
One tap mobile
+16692545252,,1616149936# US (San Jose)
+16692161590,,1616149936# US (San Jose)
Dial by your location
        +1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
        +1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
        +1 551 285 1373 US
        +1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 161 614 9936

OR JOIN US ON FACEBOOK LIVE!! 

Divide Complex Daily Update

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

American Fork, Balsinger, Ellis and Woods Creek fires

Phone: 406-426-9612 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/HLCNF

     www.facebook.com/CGNF

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LewisandClarkNF

Email:  2021.divide@firenet.gov

On Tuesday (8/3), there will be a community meeting for the American Fork Fire in Melville at the 191 Café at 7 PM.  

Yesterday rainfall on the fires ranged from 1/10” to 1” and lighting strikes were detected throughout the fire complex. The rain helped moderate fire behavior, but because not all areas of the fire received a wetting rain, some areas are sheltered and burnable vegetation is still dry.

American Fork Fire inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7681

Acreage: 14,397 Containment: 10% Start date: July 17, 2021 Cause: Lightning Personnel: 145
The American Fork Fire is burning northeast of the Crazy Mountains, about 24 miles southwest of Harlowton, Montana. The fire continued to be active in the western edge and did receive some rain yesterday. Gusty winds associated with stormy weather yesterday pushed the fire north in the Crandall Creek area, where firefighters will engage the fire at its edge. The goal is to keep the fire from burning private property in this area. We are working with private landowners to identify areas for firelines to prevent further spread on the west side. Most of the spot fires in the Shields River area were contained yesterday. Today, crews are working on the few remaining spots. Firefighters are providing structure protection for public and private structures in the Shields River and Smith Creek areas, including several area ranches such as the SVR and Montana Eagle Ranch. They are clearing burnable vegetation along Shields River and Bennet Creek roads to act as fire breaks. A mandatory evacuation is still in effect for the Smith Creek area and portions of the Upper Shields River. A structure protection group is currently triaging and developing a plan to protect structures in that area. Crews are monitoring the northern end with the expectation that the 2017 Blacktail Fire footprint will temper fire progression to the north. The eastern side of the fire is showing limited fire activity. Fireline construction and mop up continues in the southeast edge of the fire in the Sweetgrass Creek area.

Balsinger and Ellis fires  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7624    inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7625

Acreage: Balsinger 9,788 Ellis 1,227 Containment: 26% Start date: July 8, 2021 Cause: Balsinger -Lightning; Ellis – under investigation. Personnel: 277

The Balsinger Fire is burning about seven miles west of Neihart, Montana. The fire was active yesterday with smoke visible in the Thunder Mountain area and southeast corner of the fire. Crews continued to improve line on a secondary containment line along Dry Park Road, with the goal of keeping the fire north of Divide Road to keep fire from the US 89 corridor and Niehart. Work continues to mop up and improve line to keep the fire from reaching Keegan Park and Belt Park Butte. Interior smoke will continue to be visible.

The Ellis Fire, about 2.5 miles southwest of Smith River, Montana, continues to show limited fire activity. This fire is in patrol status with daily monitoring by aircraft.

Woods Creek Fire inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7649

Acreage: 15,252 Containment: 0% Start date: July 10, 2021 Cause: Lightning Personnel: 247

The Woods Creek fire continues to burn in inaccessible terrain in the Big Belt Mountains, about 16 miles northeast of Townsend, Montana. It continues to back down to firelines. Firefighters continue to secure firelines, mostly with bulldozer lines. At the western edge of the fire, they are constructing line south to Ray Creek. Crews are providing structure protection for the Thompson Guard Station, communications equipment, a powerline corridor and structures in the Confederate Gulch and Big Birch communities. Yesterday helicopters dropped water near the Thompson Guard station to cool the fire. Fire burned to the Boulder Creek drainage at the northwest edge of the fire yesterday. Crews are building firelines while fire burns down toward them. Confederate Gulch and Duck Creek remain focus areas for structure protection and line construction.

A mandatory evacuation order issued by the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office remains in place for the Woods Creek Fire, covering everything east of Highway 284 between Gravely Lane on the north and Dry Gulch Road on the south. Ray Creek is on high alert. Highway 284 remains open.

Evacuation Notices

• A pre-evacuation order was issued by Meagher County Sheriff for the Smith River corridor from Camp Baker to the confluence with Blacktail Creek.
• An evacuation order for Smith Creek subdivision was issued by the Meagher County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, 7/31.
• An evacuation order for Belt Park, issued by the Cascade County Sheriff’s Office, remains in place.
• A pre-evacuation order was issued for the area from the Belt Creek Ranger Station to Monarch and from west of Monarch to the confluence of Pilgrim Creek and Belt Creek.
• The Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office has issued an evacuation order in connection with the Woods Creek Fire.

Weather

Lightning accompanied the rain yesterday, causing concerns for firefighters. Today is expected to be hotter, with the potential for showers in the afternoon. While the fire didn’t move much yesterday, some pockets of heat remain on all the fires which will likely result in active fire behavior today.

A weak inversion is trapping the fog and smoke closer to the ground. This should break up mid-morning and allow conditions to heat up. Clouds will build in the afternoon in higher elevations. Some lingering moisture will allow for a chance of showers and thunderstorms through the day.

Wednesday and Thursday, we expect hot and dry weather. Forecasts predict it to be mostly sunny with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. 

While the rain is helpful where received, some sheltered areas still contain a lot of heat and will likely experience active fire behavior.

Closures

The Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest expanded the closure area for the Balsinger Fire on July 29.

The closure order for the part of the American Fork fire  on the Custer-Gallatin National Forests was updated on July 29 (map).

The Big Elk Creek Trail (#640) on the part of the American Fork fire  on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest remains in place.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest issued an area closure for the Woods Creek Fire on July 26, 2021.

Advisories

Help prevent additional fire starts by following all campfire restrictions and fire-related closures.

Most of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest is in stage 2 fire restrictions.

Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in place for the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The Custer Gallatin has also restricted campfires in all locations.

Visit www.MTFireInfo.org for statewide fire restriction information.

Visit the AirNow.gov website for more information on air quality near you.

You are invited to a Community Meeting tonight, August 3 at 7pm.   There will be great information available on #DivideComplex, #EllisFire, #WoodsCreekFire, #BalsingerFire, and #AmericanForkFire.   For face-to-face participation, we’ll ask you to save your questions until the end.   For ZOOM and Facebook, you may type your question at any time, and we’ll feed to the moderator to be asked and answered out loud.
The meeting will be held at 191 Cafe.   We plan to offer ZOOM and Facebook live (assuming the internet does not fail us!)

Zoom information:   Download the app or visit zoom.us and enter the meeting ID:  160-903-3834

Or watch it on Facebook.   Tonight, we’ll do a backup video (with mic), and post if internet fails.

Hope to see you there!