Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Limitations

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging storm event to meet program objectives.

BAER Objectives:

• Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.
• If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to human life and safety, Forest Service property and other critical natural and cultural resource values.
• Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to life or property resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.
• Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.
• Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

BAER Interagency Coordination:

Post-fire emergency response is a shared responsibility. There are several Federal, State and local agencies that have emergency response responsibilities or authorities in the post-fire environment. The BAER team coordinates with these agencies to look at the full scope and scale of the situation to reduce the potential threats to human life and property. It is important that BAER efforts are communicated with all affected and interested cooperating agencies and organizations regarding other post-fire recovery and restoration efforts.

BAER treatments cannot prevent all of the potential flooding or soil erosion impacts, especially after a wildfire-changed landscape. It is important for the public to stay informed and prepared for potentially dramatic increased run-off events.

One of the most effective BAER strategies is interagency coordination to provide post-fire threat information to local cooperators who can assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners to prepare for rain events. For example, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program for post-emergency assistance on private and tribal land, the National Weather Service (NWS) has responsibility for flood warning alerts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has flood insurance and other responsibilities if the area is a Presidentially-declared emergency, Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) and counties, as well as State and local-highway and emergency services departments, Flood Control authorities, etc. It is important that landowners work directly with NRCS and other agencies to determine appropriate actions needed to protect private structures and other assets.

BAER Process:

BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, botanists, archeologists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe temporary emergency stabilization actions on National Forest System lands to protect the land quickly and effectively. BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Response action timing is essential to ensure the emergency stabilization measures are effective.

There are a variety of emergency stabilization actions that the BAER team can recommend for Forest Service land such as mulching with agricultural straw or chipped wood to protect soil productivity, increasing road drainage to keep roads and bridges from washing-out during post-fire floods, and early detection rapid response invasive plant treatments to prevent spread of weeds into native plant communities. BAER treatments are preventative in nature but cannot prevent all damage, especially debris torrents in areas that are prone to sliding and have lost critical root structure from plants.

The Cans and Cannots of BAER:

What BAER Can Do:

• Install water or erosion control devices
• Seed or mulch for erosion control or stability reasons
• Install erosion control measures at critical cultural sites
• Install temporary barriers to protect treated or recovering areas
• Install warning signs
• Replace minor safety related facilities, like burned guard rails
• Install appropriate-sized drainage features on roads, trails
• Remove critical safety hazards
• Prevent permanent loss of T&E habitat
• Monitor BAER treatments
• Implement EDRR treatments to minimize the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities

What BAER Cannot Do:

• Prevent all flooding and debris flows
• Replant commercial forests or grass for forage
• Excavate and interpret cultural sites
• Replace burned pasture fences
• Install interpretive signs
• Replace burned buildings, bridges, corrals, etc.
• Repair roads damaged by floods after fire
• Remove all hazard trees
• Replace burned habitat
• Monitor fire effects
• Treat pre-existing noxious weeds

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is forwarded onto the Washington Office.

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 website: www.weather.gov/mtr/.

KEY ELEMENTS OF A BAER ASSESSMENT 
                              
Forest Service BAER assessment teams are established by Forest Supervisors before wildfires are fully contained. The teams coordinate and work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), National Weather Service (NWS), local counties, State Department of Transportation, and other federal, state, and local agencies to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds burned from wildland fires.

• The BAER assessment teams are evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural-heritage resources, and determine if there are appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures that can be implemented on federal lands in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow threats.

• The BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area.

• BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, geologists, biologists, botanists, archeologists, geographic information system mapping specialists, recreation and trails specialists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency response actions to protect the land quickly and effectively.

• BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

• The BAER assessment team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and watershed response to the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of low/unburned, moderate, and high which corresponds to a projected increase in watershed response.

• The BAER team presents these findings and treatment recommendations to the Forest Supervisor in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency stabilization actions needed to address potential post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural-heritage and critical natural resources on National Forest System lands.

• The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire response information, areas of concern for human life, safety and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization actions for federal lands that burned.

• In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated.

• If the BAER assessment team determines there may be potential emergency situations, the short-term goal is to have flood and erosion control protection measures completed before the first large, damaging rain events occur.

• Timely implementation is critical if BAER emergency response actions are to be effective.

• The BAER assessment team coordinates with other federal and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding.

• Federal assistance to private landowners regarding post-fire potential impacts is the primary responsibility of the NRCS through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/).

• NRCS in coordination with additional state, local and federal agencies conduct damage survey reports for the private land adjacent to and downstream from the burned areas. NRCS uses these reports, along with the BAER team’s assessment report, to develop recommended emergency measures for businesses and private home and landowners to reduce the impacts to their property from potential increased water and debris flows.

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 website: www.weather.gov/mtr/.

FOREST SERVICE BAER PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) program is designed to identify and manage potential risks to resources on National Forest System lands and reduce these threats through appropriate emergency measures to protect human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging event to meet program objectives:

BAER Objectives:

-   Determine whether imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands exist and take immediate actions, as appropriate, to manage the unacceptable risks.

-   If emergency conditions are identified, mitigate significant threats to health, safety, human life, property and critical cultural and natural resources.

-   Prescribe emergency response actions to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources, to minimize threats to critical values resulting from the effects of a fire, or to repair/replace/construct physical improvements necessary to prevent degradation of land or resources.

-   Implement emergency response actions to help stabilize soil; control water, sediment and debris movement and potentially reduce threats to the BAER critical values identified above when an analysis shows that planned actions are likely to reduce risks substantially within the first year following containment of the fire.

-   Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments that were applied on National Forest System lands.

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires result in damage that requires special efforts to reduce impacts afterwards. Loss of vegetation exposes soil to erosion; water run-off may increase and cause flooding, soil and rock may move downstream and damage property or fill reservoirs putting community water supplies and endangered species at-risk.

The BAER team presents these findings in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency actions needed to address post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural and critical natural resources. This includes early detection and rapid response (EDRR) treatments to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into native plant communities. The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire watershed response information, areas of concern for life and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization measures for Forest Service lands that burned.

In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. Severely burned areas steep slopes, and places where water run-off will be excessive and may impact important resources, are focus areas and described in the BAER assessment report if they affect critical values. Time is critical if the emergency stabilization measures are to be effective.

A BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area and prescribe emergency stabilization measures. The team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and model potential watershed response from the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of very low/unburned, low, moderate, and high which may correspond to a projected increase in watershed response. The higher the burn severity, the less the soil will be able to absorb water when it rains. Without absorption, there will be increased run-off with the potential of flooding.

BAER Funding:

Special Emergency Wildfire Suppression funds are authorized for BAER activities and the amount of these expenses varies with the severity of the fire season. Some years see little BAER activity while other years are extremely busy.

Because of the emergency nature of BAER, initial requests for funding of proposed BAER treatments are supposed to be submitted by the Forest Supervisor to the Regional Office within 7 days of total containment of the fire. The Regional Forester’s approval authority for individual BAER projects is limited. Approval for BAER projects exceeding this limit is to the Washington Office.

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 website: www.weather.gov/mtr/.

THREE PHASES OF WILDFIRE RECOVERY

There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands:

• Fire Suppression Repair

• Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)

• Long-Term Recovery and Restoration

• Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

• Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first post-fire damaging events. Fires result in loss of vegetation, exposure of soil to erosion, and increased water runoff that may lead to flooding, increased sediment, debris flows, and damage to critical natural and cultural resources. BAER actions such as: mulching, seeding, installation of erosion and water run-off control structures, temporary barriers to protect recovering areas, and installation of warning signs may be implemented. BAER work may also replace safety related facilities; remove safety hazards; prevent permanent loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species; prevent the spread of noxious weeds, and protect critical cultural resources.

• Long-Term Recovery and Restoration utilizes non-emergency actions to improve fire-damaged lands that are unlikely to recover naturally and to repair or replace facilities damaged by the fire that are not critical to life and safety. This phase may include restoring burned habitat, reforestation, other planting or seeding, monitoring fire effects, replacing burned fences, interpreting cultural sites, treating noxious weed infestations, and installing interpretive signs.

Acreage Change on Yogo

Stanford, Mont., October 16, 2020 – While the fire has been quiet for several days now, the wind has not.  That meant in order to determine fire growth, after last Saturday and Sunday's runs, fire fighters had to hike the areas.  However, with yesterday's break from high winds helicopters were able to fly over the fire, not only getting a better look at conditions within the fire itself but also getting a more accurate fire perimeter.  This new perimeter shows the Yogo fire at 5,309 total acres.  Fire crews continue to take advantage of the cold weather to check fireline and extinguish heat along the fire's edge, increasing containment to 60 percent.

Crews will continue working the remaining hot spots in the Skunk Gulch and Morris Creek areas, as weather permits.  Crews will also monitor and patrol the northern and western fire perimeters making sure to extinguish any remaining hot spots they find.  All firefighting efforts will be supported by one light helicopter as needed.

Firefighters face yet another day of hazardous winds, in addition to a winter weather advisory.  Fire crews will need to monitor the changing weather closely and make sure to stay safe while on the fireline.

Visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7229/ or scan the QR code for the latest updates on the Yogo Fire and follow us on Facebook @HLCNF or Twitter @LewisandClarkNF.

*Yogo Fire will not be releasing information daily but instead will send updates only when conditions change. *

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE

HELENA-LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST

JUDITH-MUSSELSHELL RANGER DISTRICT – STANFORD, MONTANA

 

FOREST ORDER

Area, Road and Trail Closures – Middle Fork Judith, Yogo Creek and Dry Wolf Creek.

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and 36 C.F.R. § 261.52 (e), the following acts are prohibited on the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest:

PROHIBITION:

 

1. Going into or being upon the area described below (Area Closure Map & Description) [36 C.F.R. § 261.52 (e)].

    

 

AREA CLOSURE DESCRIPTION:

The closure applies to all National Forest System (NFS) lands including roads and trails, depicted on the attached map (Attachment A). Starting at the junction of FS 251 and trail 449 proceed south east to junction of trail 449 and 466.  Continue south east on trail 466 to junction with FS 2084. Continue south east on FS 2084 to junction with FS 266. Continue west on FS 266 to trail 435.  Continue south on trail 435 to junction with trail 444. Continue south on trail 444 to junction with trail 443.  Continue south on trail 443 to intersection with Cleveland Creek.  Continue north west along Cleveland Creek to junction with Hell Creek.  Continue north west along Hell Creek to junction with Appraisal Creek.  Continue North along Appraisal Creek to junction with closed road FS 6540.  Continue north on FS 6540 to junction with FS 251.  Continue north easterly along FS 251 to start point at trail 449.

 

PURPOSE:

This closure is for health and public safety due to the Yogo Fire on the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

IMPLEMENTATION:

This order will be in effect from October 13th, 2020, and shall remain in effect until December 31st, 2020, or until the order is rescinded, whichever occurs first.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

 

 

EXEMPTIONS:

 

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. 36 CFR 261.50 (e)(1).

Owners or lessees of land in the area. 36 CFR 261.50 (e)(2).

Residents in the area. 36 CFR 261.50 (e)(3).

Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 CFR 261.50 (e)(4).

 

VIOLATION:

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.  (16 U.S.C. §551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571 and 3581(b)(7).

INFORMATION:

 

Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Judith Musselshell Ranger District Office located at Stanford, Montana, (406) 566-2292, and at the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor’s Office located at 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, Montana, (406) 449-5201.

Executed in Helena, Montana, this 13th day of October, 2020. 

                                                                                                             

  /s/William Avey   

WILLIAM AVEY

Forest Supervisor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Containment Grows as More Weather Comes In

Stanford, Mont., October 15, 2020 – Despite high winds and snowy conditions firefighters were able to gain ground again yesterday, moving the Yogo fire to 50 percent containment.  Crews will be continuing to monitor and extinguish hot spots along the fireline as well as preparing for another day of cold wet conditions.

With much of the fire having received several inches of snow the firefighters will be focusing their efforts on working the remaining hot spots in the Skunk Gulch and Morris Creek areas.  Crews will also monitor and patrol the fire perimeter as weather allows making sure to extinguish any remaining hot spots they find.  All firefighting efforts will be supported by one light helicopter as needed.

Local cooperators, including the Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire, Judith Basin County and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the surrounding communities of Stanford, Hobson, and Lewistown have been an integral part of fighting this fire. The Forest wants to thank them all and let them know the Forest appreciates all they have done.

Winds will be lighter today into tomorrow.  In addition, several more inches of snow are predicted especially in the upper elevations.  This added moisture will be a big benefit to the higher portions of the fire, allowing crews to focus their efforts on the lower elevation hot spots before the winds come back up in the coming days.

Visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7229/ or scan the QR code for the latest updates on the Yogo Fire and follow us on Facebook @HLCNF or Twitter @LewisandClarkNF.

*Yogo Fire will not be releasing information daily but instead will send updates only when conditions change. *

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

A Revised Area Closure has been put into effect for the Yogo Fire.  The closure applies to all National Forest System (NFS) lands including roads and trails within and including the following description. Starting at the junction of FS 251 and trail 449 proceed south east to junction of trail 449 and 466.  Continue south east on trail 466 to junction with FS 2084. Continue south east on FS 2084 to junction with FS 266. Continue west on FS 266 to trail 435.  Continue south on trail 435 to junction with trail 444. Continue south on trail 444 to junction with trail 443.  Continue south on trail 443 to intersection with Cleveland Creek.  Continue north west along Cleveland Creek to junction with Hell Creek.  Continue north west along Hell Creek to junction with Appraisal Creek.  Continue North along Appraisal Creek to junction with closed road FS 6540.  Continue north on FS 6540 to junction with FS 251.  Continue north easterly along FS 251 to start point at trail 449.

Containment Grows on the Yogo Fire

Stanford, Mont., October 14, 2020 – The Yogo Fire is now 30 percent contained, total acreage remains at 4,909 acres.  Firefighters have been able to take advantage of cooler temperatures and snowy conditions on the Yogo fire, improving lines and extinguishing hot spots.  Crews will be continuing with yesterday's operations as well as preparing for another day of high wind and snow out on the fire.

Crews along the northern and eastern perimeters of the fire will be working the remaining heat in the spot fires near Elk Saddle and Bandbox Mountain. In addition, firefighters will continue to improve already constructed line.  Along the eastern perimeter, firefighters will continue improving fireline and extinguishing interior heat near Morris Creek.  The resources brought in to protect the Middle Fork structures will remain.  Portions of the fire which have received several inches of snow and are no longer experiencing interior hot spots will move into monitor status.  All firefighting efforts will be supported by two heavy helicopters and one light helicopter as needed.

We want to thank our local cooperators including the Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire, Judith Basin County and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  In addition, the local communities of Stanford, Hobson, and Lewistown have gone above and beyond to support all the firefighters.

Today weather on the fireline is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a chance of snow.  Temperatures will be in the upper 20's to low 30's.  While all these conditions are great for decreasing fire activity, high winds, between 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph, makes conditions on the ground in dead, dying or fire damaged trees dangerous.  Fire personnel will be monitoring the situation closely and operations will be adjusted as needed to keep firefighters and the public safe.

Visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7229/ or scan the QR code for the latest updates on the Yogo Fire and follow us on Facebook @HLCNF or Twitter @LewisandClarkNF.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Yogo Fire Receives Updated Area Closure

Stanford, Mont., October 13, 2020 – A revised Area Closure was established for the Yogo Fire area late yesterday afternoon.  Firefighters were able to better map the fire perimeter on Monday.  The new total acreage for the Yogo Fire is 4,909 acres.  The latest acreage mapping takes into account Saturday's growth as well as the fire growth that occurred in the Morris Creek area on Sunday.  With this new acreage figure as well as the change in weather fire officials felt it was important to revise the Area Closure.  The new closure map can be found on our inciweb site at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7229/.

Firefighters along the northern and eastern perimeters of the fire will continue working the spot fires in the Elk Saddle and Bandbox Mountain areas and continue to improve already constructed line.  Additional crews will be monitoring for any fire activity in the Skunk Gulch area.  Along the eastern perimeter, firefighters will continue with direct action in the Morris Creek area, where the fire made its push on Saturday and Sunday.  The resources brought in to protect the Middle Fork structures will remain in place again today.  Firefighters along the western perimeter will work to extinguish any remaining heat in the southwestern corner of the fire and monitor the already constructed fireline.  All firefighting efforts will be supported by two heavy helicopters, as well as one medium and one light helicopter as needed.

We want to thank our local cooperators including the Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire, Judith Basin County and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  In addition, the local communities of Stanford, Hobson, and Lewistown have gone above and beyond to support all the firefighters.

Today the fire area will see partly sunny skies becoming cloudy. Snow and rain are likely throughout the day. However, as has been the case for numerous days now, the biggest weather watch for the firefighters will be high winds out of the southwest from 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 35 mph in afternoon.

Visit: Follow us on Facebook @HLCNF or Twitter @LewisandClarkNF.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.