Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size: 30,030 acres         Containment: 88%                  Personnel: 166

Transfer of Command: The Northern Rockies Team 4 will soon be transitioning with the local unit and the transfer of command is planned for Sept. 14 at 6:00 a.m. This will be the last BobCat Wildfire Fact Sheet from Team 4. All of us from Northern Rockies Team 4 would like to say THANK YOU to the residents of Roundup and Musselshell County for your hospitality over the past 11 days. Farewell!

Current Status: Yesterday, crews were able to cover a large amount of ground within the fire perimeter. The crews and engines observed minimal smoke or areas with active heat within 200 ft of the fire edge and the engines were able to extinguish all hot spots they found. Equipment operators completed rehabilitation work on dozer control lines within the interior of the fire. Firefighters worked to complete the containment line on the on the northeast side of the fire.

Last night’s weak dry cold front will lower today’s temperatures slightly and create variable wind. The high today will be in the high 70s with wind speeds of 5-10 mph. Tonight’s low is 54 degrees. There is a Red Flag Warning in effect for Monday with a high in the low 90s as the warm and dry conditions return. Wind speeds are predicted to be 10-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. There is an increased potential for new fire starts and higher risk of fire spread in these conditions. Tuesday through Wednesday could bring an isolated chance of thunderstorms.

Planned Actions: Air operations will conduct an observation flight over the fire area to determine conditions and evaluate remaining suppression and rehab priority areas. Crews will search the fire area for smoke within 200 feet from the fire edge, extinguishing remaining hot spots. Large fuels like stumps that continue to smolder or retain heat will be addressed with hand work and water to minimize the risk of fire spread and additional ignition. Crews will continue rehabilitation work in the interior of the fire area. Fire engines crews will be monitoring the area and staged to respond to new ignitions.

Key Message: The fire area no longer has active areas of fire but please be aware that burned areas contain many hazards. Burned trees and limbs may be weakened and fall, burned soil can become unstable, dislodging rocks or toppling trees. Tree stumps and roots may burn below the surface, creating hollow areas prone to cave-in. Please use caution when entering a recently burned area.

Closures/Restrictions: There are no evacuation orders or area closures at this time.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is no temporary flight restriction over the fire area.

Cooperating Agencies: DNRC, BLM, Musselshell County, Bull Mountain Fire Department.

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size: 30,030 acres             Containment: 88%                  Personnel: 227

Current Status: The area within the fire perimeter demonstrated minimal fire activity yesterday. Smokes were sporadic and fire crews worked to find and extinguish all heat within 200 ft of the fire edge. Crews worked on the north and southeast fire perimeter, connecting and securing control lines and increasing containment from 60-88%. Engines and crews patrolled within the fire area, looking for heat and working to minimize the chance of fire spread. Equipment is being used to work on the rehabilitation of interior dozer control lines.

Today’s forecast includes dry conditions with a high in the 80s. Wind speeds are predicted to be 5-15 mph. This evening a weak dry cold front will move over the area, reducing temperatures slightly but creating variable and gusting wind. Temperatures tonight could be as low as 50. Tomorrow is forecasted to be in the 70s. There is a higher probability of ignition in lighter fuels with the continuation of warm and dry conditions.

Planned Actions: In areas with secure containment, crews will be searching for remaining hot spots, smoldering fuels, and smoke. Crews and engines will search areas to ensure no heat remains within 200 feet from the fire edge in the southeast area of the fire. Additional work will be done to connect containment lines along the northeast side of the fire. Rehabilitation work will continue in areas of fire-related ground disturbance. Hand crews and engines are prepared to respond to new starts to support local resources. Aerial resources will be available to support response efforts to any new ignitions, as requested by local and state fire agencies.

Key Message: As weather conditions continue in a warm and dry trend, there is an increased potential for new fire ignitions. At this time, fire crews, engines and aircraft are monitoring the fire weather forecast and are ready to respond to any new starts or active fire behavior.

The large uncontained wildfires in the western United States may contribute to widespread haze in Montana. Local air quality may be impacted by these large fires over the next couple days.

Closures/Restrictions: There are no evacuation orders or area closures at this time.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): The temporary flight restriction has been lifted.

Cooperating Agencies: DNRC, BLM, Musselshell County, Bull Mountain Fire Department.

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size: 30,030 acres          Containment: 60%               Personnel: 298

Current Status: Yesterday, operations personnel conducted aerial reconnaissance over the fire, determining top priority areas for further containment line work. On the northern edge of the fire, equipment crews completed a new section of control line through a partially burned area with remaining fuels and spread potential. Hand crews and engines walked areas within 200 ft of the fire edge, searching for any remaining heat or smoke. Engine crews worked through the southern and southeastern portion of the fire, finding and extinguishing smoke and hot spots. Crews continued to map the control lines and damaged infrastructure.

Today’s high temperature is forecasted in the 80s with a low around 48 tonight. Winds remain calm but may increase over the weekend. The probability of ignition increases with the continuation of warmer dry days. The next few days could produce more fire activity during mid-day. Smoke in the interior of the fire area is likely to continue and smoldering heavy fuels may create new areas of active fire.

Planned Actions: Crews will focus on areas with active heat or smoke, 200 feet in from the fire edge. Crews will patrol the fire area, searching for hot spots, evidence of fire spread, and smoldering areas with available unburned fuels. Crews and engines will continue to expand fire containment, connecting control lines along the fire perimeter. Aerial resources will continue to be available to ground suppression operations if needed. The engines and crews are available to support local resources in the event of a new fire start in the area.

Key Message: All essential electric utility services are restored to communities within the fire perimeter.

Please be aware that Fattig Creek Road will be restricted to one lane of traffic for Friday, Sept. 10. Please expect a short delay east of Old Divide Road as a pilot car facilitates one-way traffic during the roadwork.

Closures/Restrictions: There are no evacuation orders or area closures at this time.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): The current TFR in place for air space over the BobCat Fire (FDC0/3873) will lesson impacts to local aviation operators. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Cooperating Agencies: DNRC, BLM, Musselshell County, Bull Mountain Fire Department.

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size: 30,030 acres         Containment: 60%          Personnel: 332

Current Status: Yesterday, fire crews searched for and extinguished hot spots along the edges of the fire, focusing in areas off of Beard and Rehder Roads while other crews searched for areas of smoldering fuels near structures and private residences and worked to secure active and smoking areas of the fire. Additional crews worked to expand containment lines near Parrot Creek road and along the north edge of the fire perimeter. No aerial operations were necessary yesterday in the progress towards fire containment. Equipment was used on the southeast edge of the fire to secure the perimeter.

Today’s weather continues a high pressure pattern with temperatures rising into the 70s with little to no wind. Tonight’s lows will be 44 with temperatures climbing in the 80s over the weekend. With the drying trend there is an increased likelihood fuels may carry fire. Fire activity may increase with a higher chance of fire spread in areas that burned inconsistently (mosaic) as heavy smoldering fuels ignite lighter grass fuels.

Planned Actions: Crews and engines will continue to work to expand control lines to fully contain the fire. Fire crews will concentrate on securing the fire line against additional fire spread, searching for hot spots near the fire’s edge, and extinguishing any smoldering or active areas 200 feet in from the fire edge. While assigned crews are focused on fire suppression work they are also available to respond to any new fire starts in the area. Aerial resources are available to support ground suppression operations if needed.

Key Message: Fire crews continue to work towards full containment of the fire, conducting fire suppression work and patrols along the edge of the fire. As containment increases, there may still be areas of smoke and fire within the interior of the fire area. If you see smoke or fire, please verify if it is within the fire area before calling it in as a new fire. If there is fire threatening a structure or a fire outside of the fire area, then call.

Road construction on both north and south Old Divide Road and Fattig Creek Road is happening this week. The road will not be closed but please expect delays or a pilot car as the planned roadwork is completed.

Closures/Restrictions: All evacuation orders have been lifted as of September 7 at 12:00pm. There are no area closures at this time. Please check the County DES Facebook page or inciweb site for updates.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): The current TFR in place for air space over the BobCat Fire (FDC0/3873) will lesson impacts to local aviation operators. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Cooperating Agencies: DNRC, BLM, Musselshell County, Bull Mountain Fire Department.

Area closure orders on the BobCat Fire were lifted yesterday, Sept. 7 and the Fergus Electric Cooperative, Inc. is starting to reinstall power poles lost in the fire, as well as tightening lines within the fire perimeter.

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size: 30,030 acres          Containment: 50% Personnel: 387

Current Status: Yesterday, the cooler rainy weather greatly reduced the fire activity. Steady rain throughout the day added moisture to grass and woody fuels, slowing the fire’s spread. Firefighters worked to cool hot spots and the fire edge near structures as well as along the western perimeter of the fire near Highway 87. Despite the rain, heavier fuels like down logs and standing dead trees are slow to absorb moisture and will hold heat, possibly producing smoke. Fire suppression operations did not include aerial attack yesterday due to the weather conditions.

Today’s weather forecast includes continuing cooler temperatures, with a high in the 50s. No rain is predicted and fire activity may increase with drier, windy weather. Today will be breezy, primarily terrain-driven winds at 5-10 mph with gusts possible on ridgelines. The low tonight is 31 degrees. There will be a warming trend for the next few days with conditions returning to pre-rain conditions.

Planned Actions: Fire crews and engines will continue to focus on cooling hot spots near structures to reduce residual smoke and extinguish burning material. Crews will employ both direct and indirect operations in areas with active fire behavior and will expand fire control lines. Aerial resources are available to drop water on active areas of the fire. Firefighting operations may be slow to start this morning due to muddy road conditions.

Key Message: Construction on both north and south Old Divide Road and Fattig Creek Road will recommence this week. The road will not be closed but please expect delays or a pilot car as the planned roadwork is completed.

Closures/Restrictions: All evacuation orders have be lifted as of yesterday at 12:00pm. There are no area closures at this time. Please check the County DES Facebook page or inciweb site for updates.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): The current TFR in place for air space over the BobCat Fire (FDC0/3873) will lesson impacts to local aviation operators. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Cooperating Agencies: DNRC, BLM, Musselshell County, Bull Mountain Fire Department

The BobCat Fire is now 50% contained after several days of firefighting operations. Thanks to this cool and rainy break in the weather, firefighters were able to use the opportunity to complete containment lines around Highway 87. Work will continue tomorrow to cool hot areas of fire around structures and complete additional containment.

Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, I.C.

Size:      29,699 acres                          Containment: 0%                  Personnel: 350

Current Status: Yesterday, the fire was moderately active with wind-driven activity increasing in the afternoon as gusts reached 20-30 mph. Fire activity was more active in the ponderosa pines with the heavier fuels holding heat. Firefighters worked all day to secure the fire perimeter with direct attack, structure protection, and construction of fire control lines. Air operations were active all day, focusing on the southeastern side of the fire perimeter, dropping water on hotspots. Firefighters worked through the night on the control lines around areas with active fire behavior.

Today’s weather forecast will be cooler and rainy with the temperature decreasing into the afternoon. Rain is forecasted all day with ¼ to ½ inch possible. Fog is possible in the valleys. Wind speeds of 8-13 are expected in the morning, increasing to 20-25 mph in the afternoon. Gusts may reach 35 mph. Monday night is forecasted to be cooler with lows in the 30s.

Planned Actions: Firefighters will focus on protecting structures and improving fire lines, taking advantage of wetter and cooler weather. Aerial resources are still available but may be limited by weather conditions.

Key Message: Returning residents: Please drive vehicles and ATVs slowly and with caution because there will be many fire response vehicles on the roads within the fire area. Fire crews and engines will continue to be working in the area focusing on cooling the fire edge and looking for hot spots.

When evacuation orders are lifted if you do not live in the evacuated area, please keep your distance from the fire area and allow both residents and firefighters to safely travel the roads.

Closures/Restrictions: Evacuation orders will be lifted at 10:00 am today for the following areas: Johnny’s Coal Subdivision, Bobcat Lane, Lazy R Way, Deer Lane, Cobie Lane, Johnny’s Coal Road, Lennick Road, Beard Road, Crocus Road, Elk Lane, Smith Road, Outlaw Trail, and Wilson Road. The evacuation orders for all the remaining areas near the fire are planned to be lifted later today. Please check the County DES Facebook page or inciweb site for updates.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): The current TFR in place for air space over the BobCat Fire (FDC0/3873) will lesson impacts to local aviation operators. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Cooperating Agencies: DNRC, BLM, Musselshell County, Bull Mountain Fire Department.

All evacuation notices will be lifted at 12PM today, Sept. 7, for residences within the fire perimeter.

All roads and subdivisions are open to residents. People can return to their property.
Please drive vehicles and ATVs with caution as firefighters and emergency vehicles will on the roads. With the change of weather, road conditions may be slick as dust from heavy vehicle traffic mixes with the rain.