Start Date: 7/19/2022      
Cause: Lightning      
Size: 749 acres      
Completion: 9%
Total Personnel: 313      
Engines: 4      
Helicopters: 3      
Hand Crews: 8     

CURRENT STATUS 

Northern Rockies Team 5, a Type II Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson assumed command of the fire on August 3rd at 7 pm.  Firefighters will be using an unmanned aerial system (UAS) to identify areas of heat in the Hog Trough and Railroad Creek drainages today, and helicopters will be conducting bucket work on the west and northwest flanks of the fire.     

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

There is a Red Flag Warning in effect from noon to 9 pm MDT today for unstable conditions, high winds and low humidity.  Winds could gust to 35 mph, especially on or near ridgetops. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 70s with relative humidity in the high teens. The fire is burning in the 2005 Signal Rock Fire scar.  In areas where the fire is established in unburned fuels, the fire has the ability to burn with intensity in heavy and down fuels.   

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.  Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in a fire area endangers lives of pilots and firefighters.   

See Inciweb for specific closure information.  Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/   

• FS #75 Road, from Junction Hwy. 38 and FS #75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503). 

• FS #5070 and #5071 Roads are closed.  

• FS #711 from its intersection with Hwy. 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to FS Road #75, including ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road.  

• 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. 
  
  
   
   

      Hog Trough Fire

August 3, 2022 Update

Acres: 749 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles southeast of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 273

Resources Assigned: 7 Hand Crews, 8 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 2 Skid Engine, 1 Water Tenders, 1 Dozer

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. Drivers using Skalkaho Highway, please be aware and attentive of firefighter traffic. To ensure firefighter and public safety, a 5 mile section of Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed. Forest Service 5070 and 5071 (Sand Basin Creek) Roads are currently closed. Forest Service 711 Road and its ancillary roads are closed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Summary: The lightning caused Hog Trough Fire is burning at 749 acres in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. No structures threatened and no evacuations in place. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, west of FS 5071 Road and keep fire within the 2005 Signal Rock Fire burn area. The fire is transferring from the Western MT All Hazards Incident Management Team to the Northern Rockies Team 5 Type 2 Incident Management Team today.

Planned Actions: Crews will continue to make progress on creating handline in the northern area of the fire off FS 711 Road. Equipment and hand crews will construct line by thinning/road improvements on FS 75 Road to the west and between FS 5070 and FS 5071 Road working to the southeast. The fire’s location contains heavy concentrations of dead and down debris and poses significant risk to implement direct suppression tactics. No amount of protection of a resource is worth the loss of human life.

Fire Activity: The fire is burning within the 2005 Signal Rock Fire. Within this burn area, spread rates are minimal due to exposed rock breaking up continuous fuels. The northwest and southeast portions of the fire continue to grow the most. Single and group tree torching in heavy timbered stands is expected where trees have suffered from Spruce Budworm mortality. Heavy dead and down woody debris and gusty ridge winds will support fire spread.

Weather: Breezy west winds will develop this afternoon at 5-15 MPH with gusts up to 20 MPH. Cooler temperatures expected today with highs in the mid-70s near the fire and relative humidity values between 23-31%.
 
Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·        FS 75 Road, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS #5070 and #5071 Roads are closed.

·        FS #711 from its intersection with Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to the FS Road #75, including ancillary roads leading from the 711 road.

·        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.

      Hog Trough Fire

August 2, 2022 Update

Acres: 731 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles southeast of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 247

Resources Assigned: 7 Hand Crews, 8 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 2 Skid Engine, 1 Water Tenders, 1 Dozer

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. Drivers using Skalkaho Highway, please be aware and attentive of firefighter traffic. To ensure firefighter and public safety, Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) is currently closed. Forest Service 711 Road and it’s ancillary roads are closed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Summary: The Hog Trough Fire is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. No structures threatened and no evacuations in place. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, west of FS 5071 Road and keep fire within the 2005 Signal Rock Fire burn area.

Planned Actions: Crews will continue with implementation of indirect suppression tactics. Helicopters are available to provide water buckets drops. Heavy equipment and hand crews will construct line by thinning/road improvements on FS 75 Road to prevent potential fire spread west of FS 75. To prevent fire spread to the north, hand crews will construct line from FS 711 Road to FS 75 Road utilizing ridges/drainages. Hand crews will continue to construct fire line between FS 5071 and FS 5070 Road. Heavy equipment will be working east from the southern point of FS 5071 Road.
 
Fire Activity: The fire is burning within the 2005 Signal Rock Fire. Within this burn area, spread rates are minimal due to exposed rock. The northwest side of the fire in timbered areas will continue to burn with single and group tree torching expected.

Weather: A dry cold front will move through the region today producing strong gusty ridge top winds up to 35 MPH this afternoon. Temperatures will be between 78-83 degrees Fahrenheit near 7,000 feet. Minimum relative humidity values will be 24-28%.  

Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·        FS 75 Road, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS #5070 and #5071 Roads are closed.

·        FS #711 from its intersection with Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to the FS Road #75, including ancillary roads leading from the 711 road.

·        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.

      Hog Trough Fire

August 1, 2022 Update

Acres: 731 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles southeast of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Percent Contained: 9%

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 219

Resources Assigned: 7 Hand Crews, 7 Helicopters, 3 Engines, 2 Skid Engine, 2 Excavators, 2 Water Tenders, 1 Dozer

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. Drivers using Skalkaho Highway, please be aware and attentive of firefighter traffic. To ensure firefighter and public safety, Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) is currently closed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Summary: The Hog Trough Fire is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. No structures threatened and no evacuations in place. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, west of FS 5071 Road and keep fire within the 2005 Signal Rock Fire burn area.

Planned Actions: Crews will continue with implementation of indirect suppression tactics. Helicopters are available to provide water buckets drops. To prevent fire spread to the north, hand crews will construct line from FS 711 Road to FS 75 Road utilizing ridges/drainages. Heavy equipment and hand crews will construct line by thinning/road improvements on FS 75 Road to prevent potential fire spread west of FS 75. To open a logging road off FS 711 and improve FS 5071 Road to the south, heavy equipment (dozer) will be on the northern and eastern perimeter of the fire. These will be used in the event the fire spreads to the east and impacts values at risk in the Rock Creek drainage.

Fire Activity: Due to recent weather conditions, expect to see open flame along the smoldering edge of the fire. The NW flank will continue to burn with group tree torching in the timbered areas. Fire will also continue to spread to the southeast where there is more continuous vegetation and slopes align with wind direction. More active fire behavior is expected today and smoke may be visible this afternoon.

Weather: West- Northwest winds will increase to 10-15 MPH with gusts to 25 MPH. Hot and dry conditions persist with temperatures in the mid-80s near the fir and minimum relative humidity values between 12-16%.

Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·        FS 75 Road, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS #5070 and #5071 Roads are closed.

·        FS #711 from its intersection with Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to the FS Road #75, including ancillary roads leading from the 711 road.

·        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.

      Hog Trough Fire

July 31, 2022 Update

Acres: 672 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles southeast of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Percent Contained: 9%

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 238

Resources Assigned: 6 Hand Crews, 4 Helicopters, 3 Engines, 2 Skid Engine, 2 Excavators, 2 Water Tenders, 1 Dozer

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. Drivers using Skalkaho Highway, please be aware and attentive of firefighter traffic. To ensure firefighter and public safety, Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) and 5071 Road is currently closed. Forest Service 711 Road is currently closed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Summary: The Hog Trough Fire is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. No structures threatened and no evacuations in place. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, west of FS 5071 Road and keep fire within the 2005 Signal Rock Fire burn area.

Planned Actions: To prevent fire spread to the west, heavy equipment and hand crews will continue thinning/road improvements on the east side of FS 75 Road working south to north from the Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trail #503. Crews will construct indirect line near FS 711 Road to FS 75 Road along ridge lines to prevent potential fire spread to the north and impacting Skalkaho Highway. Heavy equipment and hand crews will be improving road and trail systems on the east side of the fire to prevent fire spread to the Rock Creek drainage. Yesterday, crews removed snags to create safe locations to land helicopters on the northern portions of the fire. These will be used as medical evacuation sites and insertion points for dropping crew members and supplies.

Fire Activity: Single/group tree torching within the southeast corner of the fire. Fire activity will be moderate with creeping and smoldering through down woody debris on the north and west sides of the fire perimeter. More active fire behavior is expected today and smoke may be visible this afternoon.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today from 2:00-9:00 PM. Winds will be from the west at 10-20 MPH. Minimum relative humidity values will be 10-15%. Temperatures in the valley will be in the low 90s, along ridges they will in the low 80s.

Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·        FS Road 75, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS 5070, FS 5071 and FS 711 Roads are Closed.

·        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.

      Hog Trough Fire

July 29, 2022 Update

Acres: 611 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles southeast of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Percent Contained: 9%

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 159

Resources Assigned: 4 Hand Crews, 2 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 2 Skid Engine, 2 Excavators, 2 Water Tenders

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. To ensure firefighter and public safety, Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) and 5071 Road is currently closed. Forest Service 711 Road is currently closed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Summary: The Hog Trough Fire is at 611 acres and is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. It is burning in remote, rugged terrain with no structures threatened and no evacuations in place. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground.

Planned Actions: Heavy equipment will continue thinning and pruning vegetation along FS 75 Road to create a shaded fuel break along West side of the fire. Crews and equipment will also be working along Railroad Creek Road and FS 711A. Hand crews will remove overgrown vegetation along Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trail #503. Trail improvements to the #8013 trail will continue to the East with a desired goal of using this trail and natural features, such as meadows, to tie this into FS 5070 Road as a containment feature. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, and west of FS 5071 Road.

Fire Activity: The majority of the fire growth occurred later in the afternoon yesterday. Fire activity will be moderate with creeping and smoldering fire behavior. As soils and vegetation in the timbered stands dry out, more open flame will occur. The eastern portion of the fire will continue to burn through down woody debris. Fire will spread to the west and make short, uphill runs on south aspects.

Weather: Cumulus clouds will develop over the mountains today with a 20% chance of thunderstorms. Outflow winds from the anticipated thunderstorms may increase fire spread and intensity. Temperatures near the fire will be in the mid-80s with relative humidity values remaining near 20%.

Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·        FS Road 75, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS 5070 and FS 711 Roads are Closed.

·        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.

      Hog Trough Fire
      July 28, 2022 Update

Acres: 592 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles southeast of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Percent Contained: 9%

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 141

Resources Assigned: 3 Hand Crews, 2 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 2 Skid Engine, 2 Excavators, 1 Water Tender

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. To ensure firefighter and public safety, Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) and 5071 Road is currently closed. Forest Service 711 Road is closed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Summary: The Hog Trough Fire is at 592 acres and is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. No structures are currently threatened and no evacuations are in place. It is burning is remote, rugged terrain in a previous burn area from 2000.

Planned Actions: Heavy equipment (feller bunchers and excavators) will continue reducing vegetation along FS 75 Road and identify potential holding features such as roads, trails and natural barriers. Hand crews will remove overgrown vegetation along Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trail #503 and begin scouting other holding features on in the southeast corner of the fire. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, and west of FS 5071 Road. Crews will also be determining other potential holding features along the northern area of the fire.

Fire Activity: The fire grew 5 acres overnight. It will continue to creep and smolder and higher fire activity is expected in areas exposed to winds. There is a 20% chance of thunderstorms over the fire area today bringing gusty winds up to 30-40 MPH. Single and group tree torching and short-range spotting (200 feet) can occur and fire and spread in heavy accumulations of down woody debris. The fire may impact FS 5071 Road to the east in the next 24 hours. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground.

Fire Danger: Fire Danger is at Very High on the Bitterroot National Forest. Fire Danger is High on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. No fire restrictions currently in place. For current fire restrictions, visit mtfireinfo.org.

Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·        FS Road 75, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS 5070 and FS 711 Roads are Closed.

·        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.

      Hog Trough Fire

July 27, 2022 Update

Acres: 587 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles East of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Percent Contained: 9%

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 132

Resources Assigned: 3 Hand Crews, 5 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 2 Skid Engine, 2 Excavators

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. To ensure firefighter and public safety, Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) and 5071 Road is currently closed.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Summary: The Hog Trough Fire is at 587 acres and is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. No structures are currently threatened and no evacuations are in place.

Planned Actions: Heavy equipment (feller bunchers and excavators) will continue reducing vegetation along FS 75 Road and FS 5070/5071 Roads. Hand crews will continue work along Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trail #503 and being trail improvements to the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313 to prepare it as a potential barrier. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, and west of FS 5071 Road.

Fire Activity: The fire has shown no new growth overnight. It will continue to creep and the spot fires will continue to grow together. Single and group tree torching and short-range spotting can occur particularly in areas with heavy accumulations of woody debris and timber on the west side of the fire. The fire may impact FS 5071 Road to the east in the next 24 hours. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground..

Fire Danger: Fire Danger is at Very High on the Bitterroot National Forest. Fire Danger is High on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. No fire restrictions are currently in place. For current fire restrictions, visit mtfireinfo.org.

Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·        FS Road 75, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS Road 5070 Closed.

·        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.

      Hog Trough Fire

July 26, 2022 Update

Acres: 587 acres

Start Date: July 17th, 2022

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 18 miles East of Hamilton

Facebook: Hog Trough Fire Information

Fire Information: 406-763-1134 daily from 8am-8pm

Percent Contained: 9%

Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/

Total Personnel: 124

Resources Assigned: 3 Hand Crews, 5 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 1 Skid Engine

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Unauthorized drones were spotted near the fire over the weekend. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Know before you fly.

Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is OPEN. To ensure firefighter and public safety, Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) and 5071 Road is currently closed.

Summary: The Hog Trough Fire is at 587 acres and is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. No structures are currently threatened and no evacuations are in place.

Planned Actions: Today, helicopters will provide water bucket drops over the fire to slow fire spread from impacting FS 5070 and FS 75 Road. Heavy equipment (feller bunchers and excavators) will continue work along FS 75 Road and FS 5071 by removing vegetation to prepare these roads as potential containment lines. Crews are nearing completion of fuel reduction work on FS 5071 Road. Hand crews will be preparing Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trail #503 and scouting other potential containment lines. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, and west of FS 5071 Road.

Fire Activity: Fire activity will increase around 2:00 PM today with single andgroup tree torching and short-range spotting. The southwest and northwest corners of the fire are beginning to show more active fire behavior. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground. The area near the fire contains heavy accumulations of woody debris and thickets of regeneration with trees being 6-15 feet tall.

Fire Danger: Fire Danger is at Very High on the Bitterroot National Forest. Fire Danger is High on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. No fire restrictions are currently in place. For current fire restrictions, visit mtfireinfo.org.

Closures: See Inciweb for specific closure information.

·       FS Road 75, From Junction 38 and FS 75 to Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).

·        FS Road 5070 Closed.

·        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.

Forest Moves to Very High Fire Danger

Release Date: Jul 25, 2022
Contact(s): Tod McKay

Hamilton, MT, July 25 — Hot, dry conditions continue to dry fuels out, prompting the Bitterroot National Forest to raise fire danger to VERY HIGH, effective immediately.

Very high fire danger means that fires start easily from all causes, and immediately spread rapidly.  Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity.  These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.

Spring and early summer rains have resulted in a tall, thick crop of grasses that are now starting to dry and cure, increasing the likelihood of a larger, more intense fire.  Even in the timbered stands, heavy fuels like standing dead trees and logs are already extremely dry.  Continued hot and dry weather is predicted for the next several days including a chance of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds.   

It is imperative that residents and visitors alike exercise caution when recreating outdoors. Please follow these fire safety tips:

• Keep campfires small and completely extinguish them before leaving camp.  Always add water, stir it, and make sure all embers are out.  If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!  It is illegal to have unattended campfires.
• Smokers should light up only in areas cleared of all flammable debris.  Cigarette butts should never be thrown from vehicle windows.
• Fireworks are illegal on public lands: every forest, every campsite, every day.  Never light fireworks in the woods.
• Ensure your vehicle is properly maintained, with nothing dragging on the ground.  A loose safety chain or dangling muffler can send a shower of sparks into dry vegetation. 
• Keep vehicles off dry grass.  The catalytic converter may contact the vegetation and start a fire. 
• Recreational shooting?  Take precautions!  Never shoot into dry vegetation and always make sure you’re shooting in a safe location, away from roads, trails, campsites, and occupied areas.  Be aware that shooting exploding targets is prohibited on National Forest System lands.  For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/shooting.
• Know before you go.  Always check with your local Ranger Station prior to your trip to get the most up-to-date information on fire danger and fire restrictions for the area.  Visit www.mtfireinfo.org to learn more about restrictions that are in place throughout Montana.         

Please also do not burn any debris piles. Outdoor burning season is closed in Ravalli County, so your burn permit is invalid. Visit fireintheroot.org to learn more about outdoor burning seasons, rules, and fire prevention tips.

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, should never be flown near or around wildfires.  To learn more about Forest Service policy regarding UAS visit   https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/aviation/uas/responsible-use.      

This year, firefighters on the Bitterroot National Forest have extinguished 6 human-caused fires and 17 lightning fires. 

For more information about fires in Montana and other fires across the country, visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DiscoverBitterrootNF for local fire information.