Yogo Fire Receives Moisture

Stanford, Mont., October 12, 2020 – Cooler temperatures and light precipitation helped firefighters yesterday as they identified spot fires from Saturday's fire run.  High winds on Saturday caused the Yogo fire to increase in size by 389 acres, bringing the total acreage to 4,483.  Most of the growth occurred in the Morris Creek and Elk Saddle areas, in the form of spot fires.  The majority of these were small in size and crews were able to get them lined with some assistance from bucket drops.  A few were larger, up to 25 acres in size, but with the help of two additional crews firefighters were able to begin line construction.

With the weather change today the western perimeter of the fire will focus on monitoring line and searching for any additional hot spots.  Firefighters along the northern and eastern perimeters of the fire will be working the spot fires in the Elk Saddle area and continue to improve already constructed line.  Additional crews will be monitoring any fire activity in the Skunk Gulch area.  Firefighters along the eastern perimeter will continue with direct action in the Morris Creek area, where the fire made its push on Saturday.  The resources brought in to protect the Middle Fork structures will remain.

An Area Closure is in effect to protect the wellbeing of the public and firefighters working the fire.  Order # 01-15-03-20-17 contains a map and description of the closures in effect and can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7229/.

We want to thank our local cooperators including the Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire, Judith Basin County and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation and the Bureau of Land Management.

Rain and snow are expected into this evening, however, strong winds will continue with the passing of this cold front.  Therefore, firefighters are expecting low fire activity in most areas, areas exposed to the wind will remain a focal point.

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High winds pushed firelines yesterday on the Yogo Fire.  The fire activity increased in the late afternoon making runs and throwing out spot fires near Elk Saddle as well as on the northwest corner of the fire near Yogo Peak.  Crews will be working to assess the size of the runs and the spot fires as part of today's operations.

Firefighters on the western perimeter will continue to hold and improve the fireline along Appraisal Ridge as well as keeping a check on fire spread in the Warm Springs area and monitoring fire spread along the northwest corner.  Crews along the northern and eastern perimeters of the fire will be working the spot fires from yesterday's run as well as assessing needs for structure protection in the Dry Wolf area.  In addition, firefighters will be working to go more direct near Elk Saddle.  Firefighters along the eastern perimeter will be taking direct action on the spot fires near the Morris Trail, as well as improving fireline along the trail itself.  The structure protection efforts will continue in the Middle Fork area as will the road improvement work along Yogo Creek Road.

An Area Closure is in effect to protect the wellbeing of the public and firefighters working the fire.  Order # 01-15-03-20-17 contains a map and description of the closures in effect and can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7229/.

We want to thank our local cooperators including the Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire, Judith Basin County and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation and the Bureau of Land Management.

A pacific cold front moving into the area today will bring colder temperatures and higher relative humidity’s.  However, with the passage of the cold front we can expect the high winds to continue which may cause increased fire activity in exposed areas of the fire.

Visit: For the latest updates on the Yogo Fire and follow us on Facebook @HLCNF or Twitter @LewisandClarkNF.

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The Yogo Fire saw some growth yesterday and is now 4,094 acres. Once again firefighters will be bracing for a red flag warning day, the 4th in just over a week.  With four helicopters and 159 personnel, firefighters will be paying particular attention to hot spots along the fire’s perimeter.

Firefighters on the southern perimeter will continue to work on the spot fire just east of Morris Creek. Crews are building more direct fireline where possible as they work toward the division break.  Winds will be favorable for crews working on the hot spots along the western perimeter of the fire.  This will allow them to continue monitoring the northwest and southwest corners of Division Alpha, will working to keep the fire east of Appraisal Ridge.  Fire crews working along the northern perimeter of the fire will work to extinguish spot fires while shoring up the northeast corner of the fireline.

An Area Closure is in effect to protect the wellbeing of visitors and firefighters working the fire.  Order # 01-15-03-20-17 contains a map and description of the closures in effect and can be found on our inciweb site.  Cooperators for this fire include the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire, Judith Basin County and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The fire will see widespread haze throughout the day, breaking up this evening. Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Breezy, with a southwest wind 11 to 16 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 38 mph. Firefighters will see a reprieve from warm weather and red flag warning into next week as cooler temperatures, rain and snow are likely.

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Stanford, Mont., October 9, 2020 – The Yogo Fire is estimated to be 3,879 acres after three Red Flag Warnings during a week of warm, dry and windy conditions.  Tomorrow the Yogo Fire team, now 159 members strong, will face the 4th Red Flag Warning of the week.  Crews continue to hold the fire with helicopter drops and lines constructed by hand crews.

“Everything is going smooth and it has been great to have the assistance of local cooperators including Chief “Tater” Erickson with the Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire Department,” said Incident Commander Kip Colby.  “Tomorrow’s Red Flag Warning will be another test and we have a strategy in place and have staged equipment and resources to respond accordingly to the incoming southwest winds.”

An infrared (IR) flight that maps the perimeter of the fire is anticipated tomorrow and will help the team assess the current acreage of the fire.  A signed Forest Closure is in effect to protect the wellbeing of visitors and firefighters working the fire.  Order # 01-15-03-20-17 contains a map and description of the closures in effect and can be found on our inciweb site.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

This will be the last news release unless a critical situation develops.  Please continue to follow us on inciweb, twitter and Facebook for the latest updates.  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.

Stanford, Mont., October 8, 2020 – Today’s Red Flag Warning, carrying high winds through the dry mountains, posed a threat that firefighters have spent the week preparing to face.  With four helicopters and 127 personnel, crews continued to work the north and south ends of the fire to prevent continued spread towards recreational residences in the Middle Fork and Dry Wolf areas.  Today’s highlights included containing a spot fire on the east side of Morris Creek, and moderating the fire’s growth in the Elk Creek and Appraisal Ridge areas with the use of Air Attack and improved line.

“With safety of the crew and our communities as top priority, the crews had a day they should be proud of,” said Agency Administrator Ron B. Wiseman.  "With the Red Flag Warning behind us we will continue aggressive action until the rains and snows finish the job."

A signed Forest Closure is now in effect to protect the wellbeing of visitors and firefighters working the fire.  Order # 01-15-03-20-17 contains a map and description of the closures in effect and can be found on our inciweb site.  Cooperators for this fire include the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Hobson Rural Volunteer Fire, Judith Basin County and Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

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.

Stanford, Mont., October 7, 2020 – Firefighters had another successful day on the fireline of the Yogo Fire, which has burned an estimated 3,285 acres.  With four helicopters and 127 personnel, crews worked the north and south ends of the fire to prevent continued spread towards recreational residences in the Middle Fork and Dry Wolf areas.  Another Red Flag Warning will be in effect tomorrow from noon to 7 p.m. meaning critical fire conditions with high gusty winds and low humidity levels. 

“We will be tested again with a third Red Flag Warning within the week,” said Incident Commander Matt Plagenz.  "With the work accomplished to date, I believe we are well positioned to slow the progression of the fire tomorrow, and we have prepared contingency plans as a back-up."

A signed Forest Closure is now in effect to protect the wellbeing of visitors and firefighters working the fire.  Order # 01-15-03-20-17 contains a map and description of the closures in effect and can be found on our inciweb site.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

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

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Stanford, Mont., October 6, 2020 – This afternoon a Red Flag Warning was in effect making conditions very favorable for fire growth with high temperatures, low humidity levels, and strong west winds.  Nevertheless, the Yogo Fire team was successful in preventing the kind of exponential growth that took place under the Red Flag Warning this past Sunday.  The fire is anticipated to be within 50-100 acres of this morning’s estimate of 2950 acres and burning between the Warm Springs Basin and Skunk Gulch. 

“Our strategy for this fire gets stronger each day our plan was to keep the fire west of Skunk Gulch and we have been successful at doing that even with under a Red Flag Warning today,” said Incident Commander Matt Plagenz.  “No injuries have been reported and we will continue to prioritize the safety of our crew and communities throughout this fire.”

An infrared (IR) flight that maps the perimeter of the fire was suspended last night due to mechanical issues, but a new IR flight is anticipated soon.  A signed Forest Closure is now in effect to protect the wellbeing of visitors and firefighters working the fire.  Order # 01-15-03-20-17 contains a map and description of the closures in effect and can be found on our inciweb site.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

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

Stanford, Mont., October 5, 2020 – Today firefighters continued to build up their team and make progress on suppressing the Yogo Fire.  The Yogo Fire is now estimated to be 2,900 acres in size and an infrared flight earlier this morning mapped the fire to be between Appraisal Creek and Skunk Gulch.  Another infrared flight is scheduled for this evening.

“We are building a strong team and working to enact protocols to ensure our firefighters and communities remain safe from COVID-19 and the fire,” said Agency Administrator Ron Wiseman. 

Now equipped with 79 people and four aircraft, the fire management team continues to make progress on the east and west flanks of the fire. Two structure groups are in place to make plans for the residences in the Middle Fork and Dry Wolf drainages.   A closure area containing Forest Service roads and trails has been issued, but there have been no evacuation orders for nearby residents.  West winds hit 25 mph on the ridgelines today.  Winds are anticipated to remain gusty Tuesday and Wednesday and pick up further on Thursday.  Fire management is preparing accordingly.  The fire remains under investigation.   

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

Stanford, Mont., October 4, 2020 – The Yogo Fire, first reported on Saturday, Oct. 3, in the Little Belt Mountains on the Judith Musselshell Ranger District has grown significantly in the last 24 hours due to high winds, dry fuels and steep slopes.  The Yogo Fire is now estimated to be over 3,000 acres in size and burning between the Warm Springs Basin and Yogo Creek.  Strong southwest winds have pushed the fire 4-5 miles east of its origin into the Yogo Creek drainage to its the confluence point with Skunk Gulch.   

Our primary objective is to protect the public while not compromising safety to our firefighters and pilots,” said Incident Commander Matt Plagenz.  “We are asking for the public to follow evacuation orders and respect area closures.”

Utilizing helicopters and air tankers, firefighters were able to make progress yesterday afternoon and today on the north and west flanks of the fire.  Air attack efforts were hampered on the east side of the fire due to high winds, visibility concerns, and limited firefighting resources.  Visitors in the Yogo Creek drainage were evacuated for public safety and an area closure is forthcoming.   The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

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

Stanford, Mont., October 3, 2020 – Earlier this afternoon a fire was reported on the Judith Musselshell Ranger District.  The Yogo Fire is estimated to be over 500 acres in size and is located in the Little Belt Mountains around 1.5 miles south of Yogo Peak.  As of 6:50 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, the fire has made it to Prospect Ridge and is producing spot fires on the east side of the Ridge. Judith Basin County is working on issuing pre-evacuation notices to residences in the Middle Fork of the Judith River. 

“We are urging all hunters and hikers to avoid the area,” said Judith Musselshell District Ranger Ron B. Wiseman.  “Please continue to follow the Judith County Sheriff’s Office for the latest evacuation information and anticipate road and trail closures to be coming soon.”

The Incident Commander on the fire is using aviation resources, including a type 2 helicopter and an air tanker, to check the fire spread to the west and south.  Air Attack, two helicopters, and district resources are working to contain the fire and a Type III Incident Commander will be on scene this evening to manage all committed resources.  The communities of Stanford, Hobson and White Sulphur Springs may see and smell smoke.  The cause of the fire is currently unknown. 

Follow us on our website or Facebook @HLCNF or Twitter @LewisandClarkNF for the latest updates.