InciWebAlder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, and Black Mountain Fire 8.2.21
Alder Creek Trail Creek Christensen and Black Mountain Fire 8221
Related Incident:
Publication Type: News
Alder Creek, Trail Creek, Christensen, and Black Mountain Fire Update
August 2, 2021
Black Mountain
Size: 1,038 Acres
Containment: 0%
Location: 13 miles south of Jackson, MT
Start Date: July 17, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Total personnel: 88
Alder Creek Fire: As the Alder Creek and Christensen fires continue to grow toward each other, crews work to complete indirect fireline from the northeast corner of the fires edge to the Christiansen Creek/Hwy 43 intersection. Engines will chip materials along Forest Road 73, maintain and exercise structure protection systems in the area,
and enhance plans for primary, alternate, and contingency control lines and features.
Trail Creek Fire: Scattered rain fell within the fire area on Sunday creating a hazardous work environment for fire personnel and causing work to slow. Today, crews will complete dozer line prep on the southeast end, continue road work and insert a third Timber Taskforce along the northwest perimeter. The Structure Group will prep the west side of Highway 93.
Black Mountain Fire: Crews will patrol the fire perimeter to address potential hotspots, strengthen and improve line, complete accountable property tracking, and identify needs for chipping operations. Firefighters continue to improve the Selway Creek Road to the east as well as prep the Snowshoe Hare Road with hand tools and heavy equipment such as masticators.
Weather: All four fires received moisture from storms over the area. Temperatures will remain in the mid-70’s with relative humidities of 40-50%. Expect thunderstorm activity and a flash flood warning this afternoon and through tonight.
Major Closures:
-Hwy 43 and Pioneer Byway remain open. Motorists are asked to slow down and be on the alert for firefighters, heavy smoke, and downed trees. Please check the Montana DOT Road Report website MDT.MT.gov/travinfomobile for current conditions.
-Continental Divide Trail: Closed from Lemhi Pass north to Mussigbrod Creek.
-Big Hole National Battlefield is closed until further notice. North and South Van Houten, Miner Lakes, Twin Lakes, May Creek and Divide Bridge Campgrounds are closed.
-Forest Closure orders are in effect for all four fires.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF: Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF Closures
Salmon-Challis NF: Salmon-Challis NF Closures
Smoke:
Montana air quality alert for Beaverhead County: http://todaysair.mt.gov
Idaho air pollution forecast for Lemhi County: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for SW Montana: https://www.mtfireinfo.org
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for Central ID: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/
Evacuations:
Beaverhead County Sheriff has Stage 1 Evacuation Orders in effect for Alder Creek Community, Southside of Hwy 43 from Alder Creek Road to Dickie Bridge, and the westside of Pioneer Scenic Byway from airport to Harriet Lou Road Beaverhead Sheriff.
Lemhi County Sheriff has contacted residences in threatened areas on the west side of the Trail Creek Fire in Idaho and placed in “Set” evacuation status. Info: 208-756-8980.
Inciweb:
Alder Creek: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7641/
Trail Creek: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7634/
Christensen: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7702/
Black Mountain: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7691/
Fire Information Line:
406-624-9452 (8am-8pm)
Email: 2021.AlderCreek@firenet.gov
2021.blackmountain@firenet.gov
Facebook: @AlderCreekAndTrailCreekFires@BlackMountainFire