Shedhorn Fire remains at 74 acres this evening 

Big Sky, MT - September 29, 2021 p.m. - The Shedhorn Fire, located on the Custer Gallatin National Forest between Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Montana in Upper Tumbledown Creek area, was reported Monday afternoon around 4:00 p.m.

Shedhorn Fire:

• Size: 74 acres
  
• Cause/Start Date: Under Investigation, reported Sept. 27, 2021 around 4:00 p.m.
  
• Personnel: 82 people, including two Type 2 Crews that arrived today
  
• Aircraft: 3 helicopters with an additional helicopter arriving tomorrow - A TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Shedhorn Fire. NO DRONES.
  
• Structures Threatened: No structures threatened at this time.
  
• Containment:  0%

Cooler temperatures and being able to utilize aircraft helped firefighters make progress on the Shedhorn Fire today.  There were no drone incursions allowing aviation resources to work the fire all day.  The fire did not receive any precipitation last night, but the cooler temperatures resulted in minimal growth along the perimeter.

Two Type 2 crews arrived today from Wenatchee, WA and John Day, Oregon to help with suppression efforts.  Firefighters and aircraft will continue working the fire perimeter tomorrow including building handline along the northeastern flank. 

 Closures: The Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest will be implementing an area closure for the upper portion of Taylor Fork tomorrow, September 30th, 2021.  The closure will start at the jct. of Taylor Fork Road (#134) and Cache Creek Road (#135) and include the area and all trails leading into that area. A portion east of Shedhorn Creek is likely to be included in the area closure, then south to Tumbledown Creek. Please check back for additional closure details.

 Weather/ Fuel Conditions: Tomorrow’s weather is expected to be sunny with a high in the low to mid 60’s in the fire area.  

  

Cool Temps, More Resources Aid Shedhorn Fire

Shedhorn Fire at 74 acres, second drone incursion grounded aircraft twice.   

Big Sky, MT - September 29, 2021 — The Shedhorn Fire, located on the Custer Gallatin National Forest between Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Montana in Upper Tumbledown Creek area, was reported Monday afternoon around 4:00 p.m. 

 

Shedhorn Fire:

Size:  74 acres

Cause/Start Date: Under Investigation, reported Sept. 27, 2021 around 4:00 p.m.

Personnel: 40 people, more resources arriving today.

Aircraft:  1 Type 1 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, air attack and more possible. A TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Shedhorn Fire.  NO DRONES.

Structures Threatened:  No structures threatened at this time.

 

Cooler temperatures, with a high today around 40-44 degrees and calm winds will aid firefighting efforts for the Shedhorn Fire.  Crews will be building handline directly along the northeastern flank of the Shedhorn fire starting this morning.  Overnight humidity recovery remained low with only about 40% recovery, but temperatures will remain mild today and wind calm with gusts only to 10 mph from the NW.  No precipitation was received Tuesday over the fire.  A slight warming and drying trend is expected into the latter half of the week.

Yesterday, strong gusty winds and a second drone incursion caused some additional fire growth.  Anyone with information about the drone is asked to call Marna Daley at 406-570-5526.  Wildland fires are a no-fly zone. 

“Drones cause significant safety concerns and cease all air operations,” said Corey Lewellen, Agency Administrator for the Shedhorn Fire “We can’t stress enough, that all flying of drones over the fire must stop immediately.”

Closures:  NO DRONES OVER WILDLAND FIRE PERIOD.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T

The Custer Gallatin National Forest in conjunction with the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest are working on an area closure for the Upper portion of the Taylor Fork drainage.  The closure will start at the jct. of Taylor Fork Road (#134) and Cache Creek Road (#135) and include the area and all trails leading into that area.  A portion E of Shedhorn Creek is likely to be included in the area closure, then south to Tumbledown Creek.  Check back frequently, the closure is expected by end of the day. 

Weather/ Fuel Conditions:  After a hot and dry summer grasses, shrubs, timber are dry across the Custer Gallatin, although much of the forest is no longer in fire restrictions (except Sioux R.D.), hunters, recreationists and all forest users need to always put their fire dead out.  We’ve received a hard frost and nights are cooler, but temperatures warm throughout the day, making fire readily able to rekindle. 

 Shedhorn Fire estimated at 64 acres, located in Upper Taylor Fork drainage

Size

Approximately 64 acres in steep and rugged terrain

Cause & Start date

Under investigation, reported September 27, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Personnel

40 firefighters, multiple aircraft, more resources ordered. Big Sky, MT - September 28, 2021, Evening Update — The Shedhorn Fire, located on the Custer Gallatin National Forest between Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Montana in Upper Tumbledown Creek area, was reported Monday afternoon around 4:00 p.m.  Due to increased fire activity and aircraft shutdown because of the drone incursion, firefighters had to disengage from direct suppression efforts today due to safety concerns.  With aviation support and favorable weather conditions, fire managers will continue direct engagement operations tomorrow.  “Drone incursions cause significant safety issues and concerns for all firefighting efforts.  Whether we are providing cargo and equipment to the ground, providing bucket drops, or flying air attack, all operations must be shut down when a drone is present,” said Corey Lewellen, Agency Administrator for the Shedhorn Fire.  “Today’s second drone incursion was a major issue, especially at a time when we were seeing increased fire activity.  We can’t stress enough, that all flying of drones over the fire must stop immediately.   Closures:  NO DRONES OVER WILDLAND FIRE PERIOD.  IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T No area closures are in place yet, however fire managers are looking at the need for any public safety concerns.  Keep abreast of information and changing conditions.   Weather and Fuel Conditions:  Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity are anticipated into the middle of the week and will aid firefighting efforts.  A chance of precipitation may occur over the fire, but wetting rain is unlikely.

  

Big Sky, MT - September 28, 2021 — The Shedhorn Fire, located on the Custer Gallatin National Forest between Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Montana in the head of the Taylor Fork drainage, was reported Monday afternoon around 4:00 p.m.  The 64-acre fire is burning in timber and grass and located in steep and rugged terrain. 

Shedhorn Fire – located in the Taylor Fork drainage, in Upper Tumbledown Creek, with portions located within the Taylor Hilgard Unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

 

Size – approximately 64 acres

Cause – Under investigation

Started – Reported September 27, 2021 at 4:00 p.m.

Actions – Firefighters along with helicopter and air tankers are working the Shedhorn Fire today, ahead of the advancing cold front predicated this afternoon.  Some precipitation is anticipated for the area, but a chance of a wetting rain remains low. 

Personnel – 40 firefighters

 

Closures:  No closures are in place yet, however the district is looking at the need for any public safety concerns.  Keep abreast of information and changing conditions at: Shedhorn Fire Information - InciWeb the Incident Information System (nwcg.gov)

Aircraft – Multiple aircraft including a type 1 helicopter will be providing air support today over the fire.  More aircraft are on order.

 

Aircraft resources responding to the Shedhorn Fire Monday evening were grounded due to a drone being flown over the fire.  Drones are not allowed near any wildland fire as it hinders suppression efforts for all firefighters.  If You Fly, We Can’t!

 

Weather and Fuel Conditions:  Warm and dry weather conditions shift today with a cold front expected by afternoon.  Strong, gusty winds are expected ahead of the cold front passage and cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity will help firefighters.

 

Fire Restrictions:  Most of the Custer Gallatin National Forest is no longer under fire restrictions (except for the Sioux Ranger District which remains in Stage 1, far-southeastern MT and SD).  Recreationists do need to be aware of dry conditions, even into the fall and always put their warming fires dead out – which means cool to the touch.

Shedhorn Fire Estimated at 30 Acres Located in Upper Tumbledown Creek

Bozeman, MT (September 27, 2021)... The Shedhorn Fire, located on the Custer Gallatin National Forest between Big Sky and West Yellowstone, Montana was reported this afternoon around 4:00 p.m.  The 30-acre fire is burning in timber and grass and is located in steep and rugged terrain.  While there are buildings within five nautical miles of the fire, there are no structures threatened at this time.

 
Aircraft resources responding to the Shedhorn Fire this evening were grounded due to a drone being flown over the fire.  Please do not fly drones near any wildland fire as it hinders suppression efforts and can puts firefighters at even greater risk.  If You Fly We Can’t!

• Shedhorn Fire: located in the upper Taylor Fork Drainage near Upper Tumbledown Creek
  
• Size: about 30 acres
  
• Reported: September 27, 2021 at about 4:00 p.m.
• Actions: Ground resources are hiking in this evening.  Aircraft including a helicopter and air tankers were grounded due to the presence of a drone in the fire area and nightfall. 
  
• Cause:  Under investigation

Weather and Fuel Conditions: Warm and dry weather conditions persisted today and are anticipated tomorrow.  In addition, there will be strong gusty winds bringing in a cold front.  The frontal passage is expected to bring in cooler temperatures mid-week.

Fire Restrictions:  Most of the Custer Gallatin National Forest is no longer under fire restrictions (except for the Sioux Ranger District which remains in Stage 1, far-southeastern MT and SD).  Recreationists do need to be aware of dry conditions, even into the fall and always put their warming fires dead out.

Status:
Acreage: 750 acres
Containment: 100%

TAMFS dozers have completed a dozer line around the perimeter of the fire. Total size of the fire was 750 acres gps’d and 100% containment. TAMFS resources are loading up and clearing the scene. Scene turned over to locals. 

Status:

Acreage: 600 acres
Containment: 25%

Firefighters have stopped forward progression. Right flank of the fire still active with backing fire. Dozer are making good progress to get that flaked contained. Locals and TAMFS resources are conducting firing operations to blacken several pockets. Acreage has increased and containment has been bumped to 25%. Continuing with unified command. No unmet needs at this time.

Status:
Acreage: 450 acres
Containment: 0%

TAMFS resources are making good progress. 2 Burkburnett Task Force dozers are constructing line on the left flank of the fire. 1 Mineral Wells Task Force dozer is constructing line on the right flank, and 1 Mineral Wells dozer is improving the heel of the fire and around the structures. Locals had direct save if 4 structures. 
 TAMFS resources are continuing with a unified command.  

FRENCH POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT RELEASED

The Forest Service, Sequoia National Forest completed its post-fire assessment for emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands burned by the French Fire.  The emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to critical values from the burned area such as: life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF document called “French Post-Fire BAER 2500-8 Report_PUBLIC”.
 

SPECIAL BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding and landslides may occur quickly during heavy rain events and residents and forest visitors need to be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service websites: www.weather.gov/sto/ and www.weather.gov/hnx.

FRENCH POST-FIRE BAER SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED

     

USDA Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment teams are multi-disciplinary teams sent to federal lands following significant wildfires to characterize the fire effects to watersheds, identify imminent post-fire threats to human life, safety, property, infrastructure, critical natural and cultural resources. Once the assessment is complete, the team develops BAER emergency treatment recommendations to mitigate identified risks. After the assessment, a different BAER team implements the assessment team’s recommended treatments and action stabilization measures.

For complex fires such as the French Fire, assessments are done as an inter-agency effort which includes a California State Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) (Watershed Emergency Response Team (acwi.gov). The CalFire WERT assessment team is currently evaluating burned private and state lands from the French Fire. Both assessment teams share information and data as they complete their burned area evaluations, analysis and subsequent reports.  The teams also collaborate with other agency, utility, and private entities.

These teams begin their assessment immediately after the fire threat passes. The team focuses on the direct damage caused by the fire rather than from fire suppression activities. Post-fire conditions such as loss of vegetation and the changes in the soils will increase the likelihood of floods and may cause potential debris and sediment flow impacts.

BAER specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis of the French burned area to produce a Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map of the 27,285-acre fire. The map and the data display SBS categories of burn severity including Unburned/Very Low, Low, Moderate, and High. Approximately 54% of the 27,285 acres are either Unburned/Very Low and/or Low SBS, while 40% sustained a Moderate SBS and about 6% High SBS.

It is important to note that the BAER team assesses the effects on soils and not the effects to vegetation. SBS characterizes the soil surface and below-ground impact, whereas vegetation effects are determined based on mortality and vegetation canopy changes.

Changes in soil cover, water repellency, and soil physical/biological changes determine the severity level of soil burn severity. Changes in water repellency are a much-discussed fire effect.  Water repellency is a natural soil property. Fire can increase the severity and the thickness of the water repellent soil, significantly affects post-fire water runoff.

Low SBS indicates only partial consumption of fine fuels while litter coverage remains relatively intact on the soil surface. Burning time at the soil surface was short, leaving root systems and root structure undamaged. Vegetative recovery time in the low category will vary based on ecological community but is expected to recover in the short-term.

Moderate SBS indicates nearly all soil cover of vegetative litter and fine fuels was consumed or converted to ash. Because soil cover is significantly reduced, accelerated water runoff is expected. Charring of the mineral soil occurs in Moderate SBS as well as shallow root burning. The extent of the burning of the leaves and needles on the trees (aka tree canopy) can be unpredictable and can range from high to relatively low mortality. Water repellency is often found at the surface and is increased for both in severity and thickness of the water repellent soils which reduces the ability of precipitation to infiltrate the soil surface.

High SBS is the result of higher intensity fire behavior or longer burning time at the soil surface. As a result of the high heat, nearly all the soil cover of vegetative litter and fuels has been consumed leaving bare soil prone to the impacts of precipitation and resulting water runoff. The surface mineral soil has been reduced to powder (single grain) and often several inches thick. This single grain soil is very easily transported or moved during rain events resulting in excessive soil erosion and sediment loading in rivers, streams, and creeks. The roots in the High SBS areas tend to be completely consumed by the resulting heat of the fire above the soil surface. Water repellency does not exist at the surface because water repellent compounds have been vaporized and tend to be found below the powdered soil surface, but the repellency thickness and more severe burning tend to be much greater than a Moderate SBS soil. Generally, there is 100% tree mortality in High SBS soils. Fire-adapted shrubs and vegetation such as bear clover, manzanita, and deer brush tend to come back with vigor because of root sprouts. However, because seed sources are consumed in these High SBS areas, conifers may take many years to re-establish without tree planting.

The French BAER assessment team used initial remote sensing imagery with field-validated soils data, to develop and produce the final SBS map. The BAER team and the US Geological Survey (USGS) both use the SBS map as an analysis tool to estimate post-fire flows, debris flow probability, erosion, and sedimentation flow rates.

The French Fire soil burn severity map can be downloaded at the “French Post-Fire BAER” InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7854/) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “Maps” tab.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service websites: www.weather.gov/sto/ and www.weather.gov/hnx.