CURRENT STATUS Crews continue to chip residual piles and improve the constructed fuel break along the 75 road and 711A road, checking for areas of concern. Along the Railroad Creek drainage, crews are removing hazardous trees and improving constructed line. To the north, crews are patrolling and monitoring existing hand line. Crews, organized into wildland fire modules, will be taking photo points and collecting valuable fuel moisture data for future analysis. Helicopters will be available as needed to assist ground crews and will also be available to assist with new starts in the area. Joe Sampson’s Type 2 Incident Management Team will be transferring command to a Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Shane Martin. Resources from both teams will work alongside one another to ensure a smooth transfer of command tonight.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR Yesterday was an active weather day over the fire area. Overnight humidity recoveries were low, in the 40s, so relative humidity is expected to stay in the teens throughout the day. The threat of additional storms from the southwest could result in brief heavy downpours, lighting, hail, and erratic outflow winds. A weak dry front will enter the fire area, with associated west/northwest winds and gusts to 25 mph at the ridgetops. The trend through next week will be for warmer and drier conditions. Fire behavior is expected to continue as creeping and smoldering (increase in eight acres over the last four days); however, strong outflow winds could result in slight fire movement in areas not receiving precipitation. Such strong winds could overcome the higher relative humidity and move the fire around. However, no fire growth is expected beyond the current perimeter.
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
Road Closures: Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open. Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503). Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.
Trail Closures: Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate. Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461. A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156. Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.
Fire Restrictions:
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana. See mtfireinfo.org for more specific restrictions information.

CURRENT STATUS  Crews continue to chip and improve the constructed fuel break along the 75 road and 711A road. Along the Railroad Creek drainage, crews are removing hazardous trees and improving constructed line. To the north, crews are patrolling and monitoring fire behavior, looking for opportunities to improve the hand line. Crews, organized into wildland fire modules, will be taking photo points and collecting valuable fuel moisture data for future analysis. Resources will be available to respond to any new fire starts in the area, given the predicted lightning associated with passing thunderstorms. Joe Sampson’s Type 2 Incident Management Team will be transitioning with an incoming Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Shane Martin. Resources from both teams will work alongside one another to ensure a smooth transition on Saturday evening.  
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR  Isolated thunderstorms may cross through the fire area throughout the day, with the passing of another monsoonal weather event. These storms could bring brief heavy downpours, lighting, hail, and erratic outflow winds. Fire behavior is expected to continue as creeping and smoldering; however, strong outflow winds could result in slight fire movement in areas not receiving precipitation. Such strong winds could overcome the higher relative humidity and move the fire around. However, no fire growth is expected beyond the current perimeter. Lightning could cause new fire starts in the area.  
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 
Road Closures:  Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.   Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).  Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  
Trail Closures:  Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.   Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.  A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.   Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.  
Fire Restrictions:  Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana. See mtfireinfo.org for more specific restrictions information.  

Media Contact: Tod McKay - (406) 363-7122 Facebook: @discoverbitterrootnf https://www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot Fire Restrictions Begin Tomorrow

Hamilton, MT, August 11 — Just 11 days after going to “Extreme” fire danger, the highest level possible, the Bitterroot National Forest (BNF) announced today that it is implementing Stage 2 Fire Restrictions beginning tomorrow, due to our hot temperatures and dry fuel conditions.

“We will be moving directly into Stage 2 fire restrictions this season,” said Mark Wilson, Fire Management Officer. “We decided not to implement Stage 1 restrictions and immediately go to the highest level because we currently meet the conditions for Stage 2.”

Current conditions across the forest are at our maximum recorded values with the start of August. Short and long-term forecasts indicate sustained weather conditions that support continued significant fire behavior through mid-September

“With current fire activity and predicted weather, we all need to do everything we can to prevent additional wildfires from starting,” stated Matt Anderson, Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor. “We are asking the public to recreate responsibly and adhere to these restrictions.”

Fire restrictions are intended to decrease the chance of preventable, human-caused fires in the designated areas.

Stage II Fire Restrictions will be effective Friday, August 12, at 12:01 a.m. for all Bitterroot National Forest lands in Montana, including the Anaconda Pintler and Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Areas in Montana.

STAGE II FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Under the Stage II Fire Restrictions, the following acts are prohibited on federally managed or protected lands, roads, and trails:

• Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or closed of all flammable materials.
• Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine (prohibited 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m).
• Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
• Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Exemptions:

• Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization, or other authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. If the authorization allows operation of an Internal Combustion Engine or welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame, such acts are prohibited from the hours of 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Outside of these hours; a one-hour foot patrol in the work area is required following cessation of these activities.
• Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
  
• Operating generators with an approved spark arresting device within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the generator.
  
• Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails.
  
• Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads conducted.
  
• Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
  
• Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
  
• All land within a city boundary is exempted.

CURRENT STATUS
Crews are chipping and improving constructed line along the 75 road. Along the Railroad Creek drainage, crews are removing hazardous trees and improving constructed line. To the north, crews are patrolling and monitoring fire behavior. Crews will be taking photo points and collecting valuable fuel moisture data for future analysis. The spike camp along the 5071 road is no longer needed and will be deconstructed, with resources repositioning to the forward operating base and Incident Command Post. Much of the heavy equipment that has been used on the fire is no longer needed and will be demobilizing from the fire in the coming days. Aerial resources were not needed on the fire line yesterday but may help with moving fire gear and equipment today. Resources will be available to respond to any new fire starts in the area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
The west side of the fire received steady rain overnight. Isolated thunderstorms may cross through the fire area from the southwest this afternoon, with the passing of a typical monsoonal weather event. These storms could bring brief heavy downpours, lighting, small hail and erratic outflow winds through about 9 pm. Fire behavior is expected to continue as creeping and smoldering; however, strong outflow winds could result in fire movement in areas not receiving precipitation. No fire growth is expected beyond the fire’s perimeter. Lightning could also cause new fire starts in the area.  
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 
Road Closures:  Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.   Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).  Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  
Trail Closures:  Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.   Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.  A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.   Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.  

CURRENT STATUS 
On the west side of the fire, crews are completing hose lays from Hog Trough Creek up the ridge from the 77 trail. Crews continue chipping along the 711 road. To the north, a fire module is monitoring and patrolling the fire with help from aerial resources. Heavy equipment on the fire’s east side has completed constructing line. Crews are finalizing removal of hazard trees. Aerial resources are also assisting crews with moving gear and equipment around the fire area, through “long-line” missions.

Fire managers are working to scale down the number of resources on the fire, in response to decreased fire activity and increased completion of goals. Northern Rockies Team 5 will be transitioning to a smaller fire management organization towards the end of this week.  
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR Today is a weather transition day, as the potential for widespread thunderstorms could bring heavy rain, erratic outflow winds, lightning, and a small amount of hail. Up to two tenths an inch of rain may be possible in the fire area While fire behavior could moderate with increased cloud cover and higher relative humidity, gusty outflow winds may result in an increase in fire movement in areas not receiving any precipitation. The risk of lightning causing new fire starts is also possible. Creeping and smoldering are likely to be the predominant fire behavior activities in the fire area, with most of the activity on the fire’s southern corners. The fire is struggling to find receptive fuels for more active fire behavior such as spotting and movement. The threat of thunderstorms will likely continue through Saturday.  
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 
Road Closures: Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.  Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503). Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  
Trail Closures: Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.  Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461. A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.  Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.  

CURRENT STATUS  Along the southeast edge of the fire, crews have nearly completed line from the 5070 road and Medicine Lake. Aerial resources continue to patrol and monitor the fire’s northern edge. To the west, heavy equipment, chippers, and hand crews are working along the 75 road to complete line towards the 711 road. Crews are finishing their work “plumbing” the 77 trail with hose lays and sprinklers to raise the humidity of the dense vegetation along the constructed lines. An additional four firefighting modules arrived yesterday to transition with and replace outgoing resources, as we shift to a smaller organization over the next few days. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR  Today will be another elevated fire weather day, with temperatures expected in the mid to high 80s on exposed ridgetops and relative humidity at about 15%. West winds may gust up to 15 mph. By the afternoon, temperatures could moderate, and relative humidity may increase with additional cloud cover, moderating fire behavior. Heavy rainstorms, with lightning and gusty outflow winds, are likely to be widespread throughout the local region tomorrow through Friday. 

Cloud cover, which tampers the heat, will be the driver for fire behavior. If cloud cover lifts, then solar radiation hits the ground and pre-heats the fuel to increase fire behavior, with short-range spotting and tree torching more likely. The winds are keeping the fire predominantly at the ridgetops, and flames continue to back downslope slowly. The southwestern and southeastern corners of the fire have the most potential for fire activity and movement.  

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 
Road Closures:  Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.   Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).  Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  
Trail Closures:  Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.   Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.  A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.   Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.  

CURRENT STATUS  Heavy equipment and crews have completed removing hazardous trees along the 5071 road and connecting this work to the 5070 road, resulting in the fire’s completion percentage rising to 41%. To the west, hotshot crews continue to set up hose lays and sprinklers to increase the humidity in the dense vegetation along the constructed line in the Railroad Creek drainage. Along the 711 road, crews are chipping and extending handline to prevent the fire's spread beyond the road and connect to the handline along the 77 trail. Crews are utilizing chippers to reduce and chip fuels along the 75 road. To the north, the fire will be patrolled by aerial resources. Crews are also securing the northern perimeter of the fire by constructing handline directly next to the fire’s edge, following the 77 trail westward. 
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR  The incident meteorologist referred to today as a “heads-up day” due to predicted weather conditions and the poor overnight humidity recovery. Increased temperatures, relative humidity in the low to mid-teens, and gusty winds are expected today and tomorrow. The fire will be primarily wind driven, with 10 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 25 mph along ridgetops.  
Given these elevated, near-critical weather conditions, the burn period is expected to start earlier each day until another chance for monsoonal moisture enters the area starting Wednesday and into Thursday, as widespread thunderstorms could bring wetting rain and lightning to the fire area. Active fire behavior is expected in the southwest portion of the fire, with spotting possible up to a quarter mile if the fire runs upslope and into unburned fuels. Interior burning inside the 2005 fire footprint could cause a visible increase of smoke in the vicinity surrounding the fire.  
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 
Road Closures:  Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.   Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).  Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  
Trail Closures:  Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.   Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.  A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.   Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.  

CURRENT STATUS 

Crews have completed 34% of their objectives on the Hog Trough Fire, up from 9% yesterday. Crews on the northwest side of the fire are “plumbing” the Railroad Creek drainage with hose lays and sprinklers, as well as removing hazardous trees. They will continue to install sprinklers north to the 711A road where crews are constructing line on the 77 trail to prevent the fire’s northerly progression. To the west, crews are finishing chipping trees along the constructed fuel breaks along the 75 road. To the east, crews are completing fuel break construction between the 5071 and 5070 roads. Aerial resources will be available as needed to assist ground crews.   
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

The weather will continue a warming and drying trend through early next week, with temperatures expected to reach into the mid-90s at lower elevations and the mid-80s on ridgetops and poor relative humidity recovery overnight.  Winds are likely to be out of the west with gusts up to 15 mph. Wind speeds will likely increase over the next few days.   

With these weather conditions, fire behavior specialists expect a slight uptick in fire behavior but not in fire movement. The limiting factor for movement is the availability of fuels, both in the amount (broken and scattered pattern in rocky terrain) and type (live fuels are still green). The fire is slowly progressing out of a fire footprint from 2005 and into more available fuels on the northwest and southwest corners. The southwest side of the fire, in the Weasel Creek area, is currently exhibiting the most active fire behavior. The fire is also growing about 400 feet a day on the southeast corner and could show additional movement with the influence of wind. While the fire is mainly creeping and smoldering, there is occasional tree torching in the fire’s interior.  

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 

Road Closures: 
Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.
Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503). 
Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  

Trail Closures:  Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.  
Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461. 
A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.  
Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.  

Start Date: 7/19/2022      
Cause: Lightning
Size: 779 acres
Completion: 9%
Total Personnel: 289
Engines: 5
Helicopters: 3
Hand Crews: 6     

CURRENT STATUS 

Crews are working to "plumb" along Railroad Creek Road with sprinkler systems and hose lays. Heavy equipment and chainsaw crews completed fireline on the 5071 road and will continue constructing line along the 5070 and 75 roads. Crews will improve the fireline along the 77 trail, directly next to the fire's edge on the north flank. Heavy equipment will continue chipping along the 711 road. Additional crews are constructing handline along the 637 road. Line construction on all flanks of the fire will tie into one another, as crews work in a coordinated effort to connect established lines on both sides of the Sapphire Divide. Two type 2 helicopters and one type 3 helicopter will remain available to assist crews. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Light precipitation fell over the southern and eastern ends of the fire area early this morning, likely resulting in a slight delay to the active burn period. There is a 10-15% chance of additional precipitation this morning, lessening by the afternoon hours. Passing storms could bring strong outflow winds with gusts up to 22 mph along ridgelines. Wetting rain and lightning are unlikely. After today, temperatures will trend upwards and relative humidities are likely to decrease through next week.  

Fire behavior will remain active along the fire's western flank; however, minimal fire spread is expected. In the southeast corner, short lodgepole pine stands could torch and experience short-range spotting up to a few feet. This activity is expected to remain interior to the fire. The fire continues to burn pockets of unburned fuel on the western edge of the perimeter, along the 2005 Signal Rock Fire burn footprint. The fire continues to move slowly through the large, dry fuels. Green, live fuels have limited fire movement to date but will continue to dry and cure as seasonal weather continues.  

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 

Road Closures: 

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.  
Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503). 
Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  

Trail Closures: 
Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.  
Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461. 
A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.  
Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.  

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.  Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) within or near wildfires without permission could cause injury or death to firefighters and hamper their ability to protect lives, property and natural cultural resources.