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.

All National Forest System Lands located within the exterior boundary of the Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest, excluding the Bob Marshall & Scapegoat Wilderness complex, have been elevated to Stage 2 fire restrictions. Use the link below for additional details and a map.

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

 Notice: the incident management team has put the Ellis Fire in patrol status as of August 1, 2021.  Firefighters will continue to monitor this fire as necessary, but additional growth is unlikely.  Unless the status changes, this will be the last post for the Ellis Fire.

According to Meagher County Sheriff Jon Lopp, the pre-evacuation order for the Smith River corridor from Camp Baker to the confluence with Blacktail Creek has been rescinded.

Silcott Fire 

Fire Information Number: (509) 731-4074

Email: sewaimtpio@gmail.com

InciWeb site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7626/

Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson

Public Information: Cole Massey (Lead), Grace DeBusschere

UPDATE: 8:30AM July 9, 2021‬

Incident Summary: Southeast WA Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 is working in cooperation with Asotin County Fire District 1, the Washington State Patrol-Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), WA DNR, US Forest Service and the Asotin County Sheriff and Emergency Management to manage the response to the Silcott fire, which started in the area of Silcott Grade Road west of the city of Clarkston. 

Containment: 10% (Silcott fire) 

Size: 8,633 acres (Silcott fire)

Start Date: 7/7/2021

Resources: 4 Strike teams

4 single engines additionally

5 Hand crews

1 Tender

2 Dozers

Known structures lost: None on Silcott

Structures threatened: 150

Transition: At 6:00 am this morning, Type 2 Northwest Incident Management Team 7 assumed command of the Dry Gulch fire. Southeast WA Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 continues to manage the response to the Silcott fire. From this point onward, this page will only provide updates on the Silcott fire. 

Last night: The Silcott Fire remained within its existing perimeter last night. Resources focused on securing the edge of the fire by improving containment lines, securing and mopping up around structures, and building control lines to complete the perimeter around the fire.

Today: We do not expect the fire to leave its current borders. Crews will secure containment lines, mop up, and patrol for hot spots.

Evacuations: Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in place for residences on Asotin Creek Road west of the Cloverland fork. Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations are in place for Cloverland Road and streets off of Cloverland Road, as well as the Harlow Ridge area. In Clarkston Heights, areas south of Peola Road and Critchfield Road intersections to Quail Ridge/Swallow’s Nest Golf Course are at a Level 2. 

Shelter: Evacuees are able to take shelter at Lincoln Middle School in Clarkston. The shelter is being staffed by Red Cross Volunteers. Livestock and large animals can be evacuated to the Livestock Market at 3200 E Main St, Lewiston, ID 83501.

Web Updates: The InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7626/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sewaimt) are updated as information becomes available.