InciWebHog Trough Fire Daily Update July 25 2022
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News
Hog Trough Fire
July 25, 2022 Update
Acres: 584 acres
Start Date: July 17th, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Origin Location: 18 miles East of Hamilton
Total Personnel: 116
Percent Contained: 9%
Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/
Fire Information: 406-880-8090 daily from 8am-8pm
Resources Assigned: 3 Hand Crews, 4 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.
Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) Road is currently closed. This is to ensure firefighter and public safety due to the presence of heavy equipment removing vegetation along these roads.
Summary: The Hog Trough fire is burning at 584 acres. It 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 work along FS 75 Road and FS 5071 by removing vegetation to prepare these roads as potential containment lines. Hand crews will be preparing Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trail #503 and Trail #8131 as potential containment line. Helicopters will provide water bucket drops over the fire, focusing on the southwest 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.
Fire Activity: Fire activity is expected to increase around 1:00 PM today with single and group tree torching. The fire will continue to creep and smolder east towards the direction of the 2005 Signal Rock fire. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground.
Fire Danger: Fire Danger will rise to Very High today on the Bitterroot National Forest. Fire Danger is High on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. No fire restrictions in place currently. 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 Daily Update July 24 2022
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News
Hog Trough Fire
July 24, 2022 Update
Acres: 582 acres
Start Date: July 17th, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Origin Location: 18 miles East of Hamilton
Percent Contained: 9%
Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/
Fire Information: 406-880-8090 daily from 8am-8pm
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Please do not fly drones near wildfires. Use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a fire. Know before you fly.
Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) Road is currently closed. This is to ensure firefighter and public safety due to the presence of heavy equipment removing vegetation along these roads.
Summary: The Hog Trough fire is burning at 582 acres, an increase of 25 acres. It 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, heavy equipment (feller buncher) and hand crews will continue work along FS 75 Road and FS 5071 by removing vegetation to prepare roads as potential containment lines. Aerial observations will take place to provide critical fire behavior information for firefighters on the ground. 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: Today, fire activity is expected increase throughout the day. The fire will continue to spread east towards the direction of the 2005 Signal Rock fire. The fire is running parallel with the wind and is making short, uphill runs. Due to significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground.
Closures: To aid in public and firefighter safety, the Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge issued a Hog Trough Fire Area Closure. 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
July 23 2022 Daily Update
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News
Acres: 557 acres
Start Date: July 17th, 2022
Cause: Lightning
Origin Location: 17 miles East of Hamilton
Percent Contained: 9%
Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/
Fire Information: 406-880-8090Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek, Jerry Lake Trailhead #503. An Area Closure is in effect for roads, trails, and areas in the Pintler Ranger District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Creek) Road is closed currently.
Summary: The Hog Trough fire is now at 557 acres, a 34 acre increase from yesterday. It 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. Area, trail and road closures are in effect.
Planned Actions: Helicopters will be providing water drops on the east end of the fire to slow down the fire’s progression. Heavy equipment and hand crews will continue working along FS 75 Road and FS 5070 Road, clearing vegetation to prepare it as a containment line. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire south of Highway 38, east of FS 75 Road, and west of FS 5070 Road. This will provide a safe location for firefighters to implement direct suppression strategies. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.
Fire Activity: The fire will continue to spread in heavy dead and down continuous fuel from past burns. Fire activity will be moderate with single and group tree torching and spreading through short grass. The fire is continuing to progress towards the east in the direction of the 2005 Signal Rock Fire and the FS 5070 Road. The fire is running parallel with the wind and is making short, uphill runs.
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
Terrain: The fire’s location is in extremely remote, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. Heavy deadfall is present with dead standing trees (snags), downed timber and short grass (1 foot tall). Due to the significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground. Fire manager’s top priority is ensuring firefighter and public safety.
July 22 2002 Daily Update
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News
Hog Trough Fire
July 22, 2022 Update
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Summary: Forest Service 75 (Skalkaho-Rye) Road is currently closed from the junction of Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to Mile Marker 5 near Skalkaho Creek Trailhead. Forest Service 5071 (Sand Basin Creek) Road is closed. The closure is for public safety as fire crews are creating a fuel break using heavy equipment. FS Road 5071, Sand Basin Creek 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 Terrain: The fire’s location is in extremely remote, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. Heavy deadfall is present with dead standing trees (snags), downed timber and short grass (1 foot tall). Due to the significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters currently are not directly engaging the fire on the ground.. Fire manager’s top priority is ensuring firefighter and public safety. |
July 21 2022 Daily Update
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News
Hog Trough Fire Daily UpdateJuly 21, 2022
Acres: 500 acres (based on infrared flight) Start Date: July 17th, 2022
Cause: Lightning Origin Location: 17 mi east of Hamilton
Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Fire Information: 406-880-8090 Incident Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/8258/69793/
Summary: The Western Montana All Hazard Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the Hog Trough Fire as of July 21st. Yesterday the fire grew by approximately 237 and is now at 500 acres. It is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. People within the Bitterroot Valley may continue to see smoke from this fire. No structures currently threatened and no evacuations in place. Area and trail closures are in effect; however, no roads are closed at this time.
Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.
2022 Fire Season: This year, firefighters on the Bitterroot National Forest have extinguished 6 human-caused fires and 17 lightning fires.
August 1 CLOSURE UPDATE Hog Trough Fire Road Trail and Area Closures
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: Closures
The following roads and trails are closed to the public to ensure public and firefighter safety. Heavy equipment and other ground support will be working along these roads removing vegetation.
CLOSED TRAILS and ROADS:
1. Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail#313 C at the gate.
2. Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156, from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.
3. A section of the Chain of Lakes Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.
4. Skalkaho Creek -Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.
5. US Forest Service Road #75, Rye Creek Rd, from the Junction with Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to the junction with Skalkaho Creek, Jerry Lake Trailhead #503.
6. US Forest Service 5070 (Sand Basin Cr) Road is currently closed.
7. . US Forest Service Road #711 from its intersection with Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) to the US Forest Service Road #75, including ancillary roads leading from the 711 road [FSR Roads #5783, FSR Road # 62622, FSR Road 13257, FSR Road # 711A].
DESCRIBED AREA: All NFS Lands on the Darby Ranger District of the Bitterroot National Forest in the area bounded at the Junction of the 75 (Skalkaho Road) and Trail #77 which runs east for 3.52 miles where it intersects at the Junction of Trail #313 (Chain of Lakes); head south along Trail #313 for 0.50 miles south where it intersects Trail #156 (Weasel Creek) and south along Trail #313 for 2.75 miles to the Trail #503; travel west along Trail #503 for 4.50 miles west toward the 75 Road .
The USDA FS 75 Road is now ORDER NUMBER 22-D2-01 closed from the Junction with the Skalkaho Highway 38 to the Jerry Lake Trailhead #503/Skalkaho Creek junction.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Area Closure:
See Closure Map and Closure Order for Pintler Ranger Station of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Closure Area
Bitterroot National Forest Area Closure:
See Closure Map and Closure Order for Darby Ranger Station of the Bitterroot National Forest Closure Area.
720 UPDATE Hog Trough Fire Trail and Area Closures
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: Closures
CLOSED TRAILS
1. Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail#313 C at the gate.
2. Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156, from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461
3. A section of the Chain of Lakes Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.
4. Skalkaho Creek -Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503
DESCRIBED AREA
All NFS Lands on the Darby Ranger District of the Bitterroot National Forest in the area bounded at the Junction of the 75 (Skalkaho Road) and Trail #77 which runs east for 3.52 miles where it intersects at the Junction of Trail #313 (Chain of Lakes); head south along Trail #313 for 0.50 miles south where it intersects Trail #156 (Weasel Creek) and south along Trai #313 for 2.75 miles to the Trail #503; travel west along Trail #503 for 4.50 miles west toward the 75 Road . The 75 Road is not closed at this time
July 20th Hog Trough Fire Daily Update
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News
Fire Information: 406-880-8090 daily from 8am-7pm
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/
Discovered: July 17th
Cause: Lightning
Acres: 263
Location: 17 mi E of Hamilton
Summary: The Western Montana All Hazard Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the Hog Trough Fire as of July 21st. An Infared (IR) flight was conducted yesterday and provided more accurate estimate of the size of the fire. The fire is currently at 263 acres and is located five miles east of Black Bear Campground and seven miles southwest of Skalkaho Falls. It is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. People within the Bitterroot Valley may continue to see smoke from this fire. There are no structures currently threatened. Area closures are in effect. See below for more information.
Terrain: The fire’s location is in extremely remote, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. The fire is burning in an old fire scar from the fires of 2000 with heavy fuels, dead standing trees (snags), and downed timber. Due to the significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters are not directly engaging the fire on the ground currently. Fire manager’s top priority is ensuring firefighter and public safety.
Planned Actions: Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire to the south of Highway 38 and east of USFS Road 75. Crews are utilizing aerial and ground observations to determine locations where indirect line construction will be effective and successful. When it is safe to do so, the right resources are available, and there is a high probability of success, firefighters will engage in direct fire suppression tactics.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the 70s to low 80s in the fire area with afternoon winds between 10 and 25 mph. Minimum relative humidity values will be between 11 and 16 percent.
Closures: See Closures Tab for Closures Map and Order
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 Chain of Lakes 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 Danger: Fire Danger is currently “high” on the Bitterroot National Forest. When fire danger is “high,” fires will start from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. All fine dead fuels ignite readily and unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape.
July 19 2022 Hog Trough Wildfire Update
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: News
Discovered: July 17th
Cause: Lightning
Location: Bitterroot National Forest – Darby/Sula Ranger District
Summary: The lighting-caused Hog Trough Fire burning 17 miles east of Hamilton is currently estimated at 300 acres. The fire is located five miles east of Black Bear Campground and seven miles southwest of Skalkaho Falls. It is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. There are no structures currently threatened or values at risk. An area closure is being developed on both Forests that will include trails and roads in the vicinity of the fire. See below for additional information.
Terrain: Firefighter safety remains a top priority due to the fire’s location in extremely remote, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. The fire is burning in an old fire scar from the fires of 2000 with heavy fuels, dead standing trees, and downed timber. The area is filled with snags (dead trees) which presents a major safety threat to firefighters on the ground, especially in high wind situations.
Fire Activity: Much of the fire growth yesterday was to the east (away from Hamilton) and was driven by 50mph winds over the fire area. The winds were so strong last night that all aircraft was grounded, and a window was blown out of the Gird Point Fire Lookout in the Skalkaho area, where the Hog Trough Fire was being observed for potential growth and activity.
Planned Actions: Firefighters are not directly engaging this fire on the ground at this time due to significant safety threats posed by acres of snags and inaccessible terrain. Firefighter and public safety is always the highest priority during a wildfire. No amount of protection for a structure or resource is worth the loss of human life.
Strategies to manage and suppress the fire may include both ground and aviation resources as needed. Daily scouting and aerial observations are taking place to strategically evaluate the most effective and safest tactic to engage the fire’s perimeter. When it is safe to do so, the right resources are available, and there is a high probability of success, firefighters will engage in fire suppression tactics.
Type 3 Team: Ken Park’s local Western Montana Incident Management Team will take over the Hog Trough Fire tomorrow. An Infrared (IR) flight is also scheduled tonight to get an accurate estimate of the size.
Inciweb: For the latest on the Hog Trough Fire and to see a map of the fire closure area visit Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8258/
2022 Fire Season: This year, firefighters on the Bitterroot National Forest have extinguished 6 human-caused fires and 17 lightning fires.
HOG TROUGH FIRE TRAIL AND AREA CLOSURE
Related Incident: Hog Trough Fire
Publication Type: Closures
CLOSED TRAILS
DESCRIBED AREA AND TRAILS