BIA Crow and Northern Cheyenne Agencies are working in a single incident management team to quell the Sarpy fire, which in extreme weather Wednesday sprawled over about 48,000 acres of grass and ponderosa pine on the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservations.   

 Evacuations are temporarily ordered for a wildfire that started from unknown cause about 2 pm south of the Westmoreland Absaloka coal mine on the Crow Reservation. The Sarpy fire pushed fifteen miles south in seven hours, driven by 52 mph gusts, 94 degree temperatures, and very dry 10% relative humidity. In a few hours the fire burned perhaps 10,000 acres, more or less along the border of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations. Before dark it sent a red column of smoke over Lame Deer, about fifteen miles southeast.  

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 25, 2020               Contact Dillon Ranger District (406) 683-3900 

 Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHAT:                                                Wildland Fire                     

DATE OF DETECTION:                      August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                               Lightning             

CURRENT SIZE:                                  4,400

LOCATION                                            Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                                  Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  Miscellaneous fire personal.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was detected August 29, 2020. This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 4,050 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.  This fire is being managed with a combination of full suppression and confine/contain strategies.  Some of the strategic objectives for this fire include protect private residences and structures, protect heritage sites, keep fire off private land when possible, minimize effects to fish populations and minimize the spread of noxious and invasive weeds. The fire will continue to put up visible smoke as interior pockets of fuel continue to burn. The fire may become more active, due to weather, until there is a season ending event of moisture. 

TODAY’S PLAN:  Fire personnel continue to monitor fire and mop up perimeter as needed.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service issued a new closure for the fire, which closes some roads and trails.  Please check InciWeb for the current closure map.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 16, 2020               Contact Dillon Ranger District (406) 683-3900  (NEW PHONE NUMBER)

 Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

WHAT:                                                   Wildland Fire                       

DATE OF DETECTION:                        August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                                   Lightning               

CURRENT SIZE:                                     3,140 acres

COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVES:         50%                       

LOCATION                                             Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                                     Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  2 Medium Helicopters, 1 Water Tender, 4 Type 6 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (7 person), 1 Type 2 IA Crew (20 person) and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 114 personnel.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was detected August 29, 2020. This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 3,140 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.  This fire is being managed with a combination of full suppression and confine/contain strategies.  Some of the strategic objectives for this fire include protect private residences and structures, protect heritage sites, keep fire off private land when possible, minimize effects to fish populations and minimize the spread of noxious and invasive weeds. This fire will continue to put up visible smoke as interior pockets of fuel continue to burn. The fire may become more active, due to weather, until there is a season ending event of moisture.  A Type 4 local organization will assume command of the fire today, September 16, 2020.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews worked on securing blackline and holding roads and containment lines previously burned.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  The ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate the weather in the region for the next couple of days.  Expect very poor relative humidity recoveries (RH) , along with low minimum RHs in the afternoons.  Smoke will continue to linger in the area, possibly improving Thursday.  The high-pressure ridge begins to breakdown Friday evening, with increasing southwesterly winds. A chance of wetting rains will continue to increase with moisture beginning late Friday night continuing through Saturday.  Today will be mostly sunny with areas of smoke.  Maximum temperatures will be 71-76° with minimum RH 12-17%.  Winds will be variable 2-4 mph becoming southwest 5-10 mph in the afternoon.

TODAY’S PLAN:  Crews will continue to hold roads and containment lines from previously planned burnouts.  They will also finish prepping roads and containment line to the St. Anthony Mine’s private land border. An area north of FS Road 8592 will be prepped for a possible burnout operation in the future, keeping the fire from spreading north and east.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued closure orders for the area around the fire including roads and trails. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect for the area.  The area will continue to experience significant smoke from fires to the west.   Please check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area.

This will be the last daily update unless significant changes occur.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 15, 2020               Contact State Creek Fire Information: 406-356-6521

Email:  2020.StateCreek@firenet                                                                  Hours 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WHAT:                                                   Wildland Fire

DATE OF DETECTION:                        August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                                   Lightning               

CURRENT SIZE:                                     3,140 acres

COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVES:         50%                       

LOCATION                                             Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                                     Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  2 Medium Helicopters, 1 Water Tender, 1 Skidgen, 6 Type 6 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (7 person),  1 Type 2 IA (20 person) and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 152 personnel.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was detected August 29, 2020. This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 3,140 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.  Some of the strategic objectives for this fire include protect private residences and structures, protect heritage sites, keep fire off private land when possible, minimize effects to fish populations and minimize the spread of noxious and invasive weeds. This fire will continue to put up visible smoke as interior pockets of unburned fuels continue to burn. The fire may become more active, due to weather, until there is a season ending event of moisture.  A Type 4 local organization will assume command of the fire, Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Aviation was used to slow fire spread to the north. Crews continued to re-enforce prepared lines and keep fire within the indirect lines.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Warm and dry conditions are expected to continue.  Minimum relative humidity values will again lower into the low teens with afternoon westerly wind gusts up to 20 mph.  Today will be mostly sunny with maximum temperatures 71-76°.  Minimum humidity will be 11-16%.  Smoke is also expected to linger over the region, at least until Thursday.

TODAY’S PLAN:  Crews will secure blackline with mop up from a small slop over on the east side. An area north of FS Road 8592 will be prepped for a possible burnout operation in the future.  Crews will continue to hold roads and containment lines previously burned, to prevent fire progression to the south and east.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued closure orders for the area around the fire including roads and trails. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect for the area.  The area will continue to experience significant smoke from fires to the west.  Please check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area. 

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 14, 2020               Contact State Creek Fire Information: 406-356-6521

Email:  2020.StateCreek@firenet                                                                  Hours 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WHAT:                                                    Wildland Fire

DATE OF DETECTION:                            August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                                    Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:                                       3,140 acres (increase due to burnout operations)

COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVES:               50%                        

LOCATION                                                 Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                                        Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  2 Medium Helicopters, 1 Water Tender, 1 Skidgen, 6 Type 6 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (7 person), 1 Rappler Module (4 person) 1 Type 1 Crew (18 person), 1  Type 2 IA (20 person), 1 AI crew (7 person)  and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 160 personnel.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was detected August 29, 2020. This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 3,140 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.  Some of the strategic objectives for this fire include protect private residences and structures, protect heritage sites, keep fire off private land when possible, minimize effects to fish populations and minimize the spread of noxious and invasive weeds.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews continued with the burnout operations, re-enforcing fire perimeter.  Planned burnout operations were completed by end of shift   Aviation was used to slow fire growth to the north.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Red Flag Warning in effect from noon to 9:00 p.m. today.  Predictions are that very dry conditions will develop over the fire area.  Increased southwesterly winds are expected which should rid some of the smoke causing a high Haines Index (HI).  HI Is a numerical value that indicates the potential for large wildfires to experience extreme fire behavior.  Very dry conditions will remain through Monday night.  Smoke is also expected to return Monday night and Tuesday. Fire activity may increase with these predictions.

TODAY’S PLAN:  Crews continue to hold and improve the existing fire perimeter. Helicopters may be used, when visibility allows, to prevent  fire on the northside of FS Road  8572 from spreading east.  Prep work is being implemented to stop any fire progression to the south.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued closure orders for the area around the fire including roads and trails. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect for the fire area.   Please check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area. 

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 13, 2020               Contact State Creek Fire Information: 406-356-6521                                                                       Hours 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WHAT:                                                    Wildland Fire

DATE OF DETECTION:                            August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                                    Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:                                       3,130 acres (increase due to burnout operations)

COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVES:               40%                        

LOCATION                                                 Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                                        Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  2 Medium Helicopters, 1 Water Tender, 1 Skidgen, 6 Type 6 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (7 person), 1 Rappler Module (4 person) 1 Type 1 Crew (18 person), 1 Type 2 (21 person), 1 Type 2 IA (20 person)  and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 175 personnel.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was detected August 29, 2020. This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 3,130 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.  Some of the strategic objectives for this fire include protect private residences and structures in the fire area, protect heritage sites, keep fire off private land when possible, minimize effects to fish populations and minimize the spread of noxious and invasive weeds.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews continue to complete and re-enforce fuel breaks around the fire. Burnout operations were successful which added to the growth of the fire’s acreage. Operations objectives are 40%

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  High pressure will continue to be the dominate feature over the fire area for the next couple of days.  Large amounts of smoke from Oregon, California and Washington are making its way into the region.  This smoke will keep temperatures a few degrees cooler for the next couple of days. Monday there will be an increase in westerly winds with low humidity expected. A fire weather watch is in effect from Monday afternoon through Monday evening.  The winds could help push some of the smoke out of the area. Today will be sunny with highs 72-77° and minimum humidity 10-15%.  Winds with be west 5-10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.

TODAY’S PLAN:  Crews will continue to prep and  improve fuel breaks.  Burnout operations could occur today through Monday, weather permitting.  Burnouts are used to consume unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and prepared fuel breaks.  When burnout operations are implemented, nearby communities may see a large increase in fire activity and smoke, with the potential of a column forming. Existing roads, trails, and other natural features are being used to steer the fire SW towards the 2019 McClusky Fire. This will minimize the threat to private structures until a season-ending weather event arrives.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued closure orders for the area around the fire including roads and trails.  There is a TFR in place.  Please check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area.  Smoke may be visible from Whitehall, Boulder, Butte, 1-90 and 1-15. When burnout operations are implemented, there will be a large increase in fire activity and smoke.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

To receive daily update through email call the contact number above.

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 12, 2020               Contact State Creek Fire Information: 406-356-6521                                                                       Hours 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

WHAT:                                                    Wildland Fire

DATE OF DETECTION:                            August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                                    Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:                                       2,630 acres

COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVES:                32%                       

LOCATION                                                 Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                                        Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  2 Medium Helicopters, 1 Light Helicopter, 1 Water Tender, 1 Heavy Equipment Task Force, 4 Type 6 Engines, 1 Type 4 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (7 person), 1 Rappler Module (4 person) 1 Type 2 IA Crew (21 person), 1 IA Crew (7 person),  1 Type 1 Crew (18 person), 1 Type 2 Crew (20 person)  and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 175 personnel.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was detected August 29, 2020. This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 2,630 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.  Some of the strategic objectives for this fire include protecting private residences and structures in the fire area, protect heritage sites, keep fire off private land when possible, minimize effects to fish populations and minimize the spread of noxious and invasive weeds.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews continue to complete and re-enforce fuel breaks around the fire. A burn operation was successfully implemented on the south side of the fire.  Operational objectives completed to date are 32%.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Warm and dry weather, near the fire, continues with a slight warming trend into the weekend.  Widespread smoke for western Montana on Sunday may keep temperatures lower than forecasted. There is uncertainty in how dense the smoke will become.  High’s will be 67°-72° with minimum humidity 13-18%. Winds will be west to northwest 6-9 mph in the afternoon.  Gusts up to 20 mph may occur on the ridgetops. Fire could become more active with the predicted warming and drying trend.

TODAY’S PLAN:  Crews will continue to prep and  improve fuel breaks.  Burnout operations could occur Friday through Monday, weather permitting.  Burnouts are used to consume unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and prepared fuel breaks.  When burnout operations are implemented, nearby communities may see a large increase in fire activity and smoke, with the potential of a column forming. Existing roads, trails, and other natural features are being used to steer the fire SW towards the 2019 McClusky Fire. This will minimize the threat to private structures until a season-ending weather event arrives.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued closure orders for the area around the fire including roads and trails.  There is a TFR in place.  Please check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area.  Smoke may be visible from Whitehall, Boulder, Butte, 1-90 and 1-15. If burnout operations are implemented, there will be a large increase in fire activity and smoke.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

To receive daily update through email call the contact number above.

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 11, 2020         Contact State Creek Fire Information: 406-356-6521                                                                      ( Hours 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.)  

WHAT:                                   Wildland Fire

DATE OF DETECTION:         August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                   Lightning               

CURRENT SIZE:                     2,400 acres

CONTAINMENT:                  0%

LOCATION                            Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                     Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  2 Medium Helicopters, 1 Light Helicopter, 1 Water Tender,  1 Skidgen, 1 Dozer,

 4 Type 6 Engines, 2 Type 4 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (7 person), 1 Rappler Module (4 person) 1 Type 2 IA Crew (20 person), 1 IA Crew (7 person),  1 Type 1 Crew (20 person)  and miscellaneous overhead totaling 157 personnel.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was caused by lightning  on August 25th and went undetected until Saturday, August 29th.  This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 2,400 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY: The fire had minimal activity with smoldering and creeping on the ground.  Crews continued to build and re-enforce fire breaks and burn as needed to keep the fire within the prepped hand line and road system.  Private structures on nearby mines have been protected by burning around the buildings.  Helicopters dropped water on the northwest end of the fire to slow spread.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will be sunny and hazy with high’s 66°-71°,  maximum humidity of 71% with a minimum of humidity of 17%. Northwest winds will be 7-11 mph with gusts up to 20 mph during the afternoon.

TODAY’S PLAN:  Crews will continue to improve fire breaks.  Burnout operations could occur Friday through Monday, weather permitting.  Burnouts are used to consume unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and prepared fire breaks.  When burnout operations are implemented, nearby communities will see a large increase in fire activity and smoke, with the potential of a column forming.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have issued closure orders for the area around the fire including roads and trails.  There is a TFR also in placePleae check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area.  Smoke may be visible from Whitehall, Boulder, Butte, 1-90 and 1-15. If burnout operations are implemented, there will be a large increase in fire activity and smoke.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

To receive daily update through email call the contact number above.

 FIRE UPDATE

State Creek Fire

September 10, 2020         Contact State Creek Fire Information: 406-356-6521                                                                      ( Hours 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.)  

WHAT:                                   Wildland Fire

DATE OF DETECTION:         August 29, 2020

CAUSE:                                   Lightning               

CURRENT SIZE:                     2,354 acres

CONTAINMENT:                  0%

LOCATION                            Approximately 16 miles NE of Whitehall, 2 miles NE of Whitetail Reservoir

JURISDICTION:                     Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  2 Medium Helicopters, 1 Light Helicopter, 1 Water Tender,  1 Skidgen, 1 Dozer,

 4 Type 6 Engines, 2 Type 5 Engines, 1 Smoke Jumper Module (9 person), 1 Type 2 IA Crew (20 person)  and miscellaneous overhead totaling 137 personnel.

NARRATIVE:  The State Creek Fire was caused by lightning  on August 25th and went undetected until Saturday, August 29th.  This fire is located on the Butte Ranger District and currently is 2,354 acres in an area difficult for firefighters to access due to rough terrain, numerous snags, and a significant amount of dead and down trees.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY: The fire had minimal activity with smoldering and creeping on the ground.  Crews continued to build and re-enforce fire breaks and burn as needed to keep the fire within the prepped hand line and road system. Helicopters dropped water on the north end of the fire to slow spread.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Today will be sunny  with highs in the 60’s, winds will be variable 1-3 mph becoming east 5-7 mph this afternoon.  With warmer and drier conditions, the fire will become more active.

TODAY’S PLAN:  Crews will continue to improve fire breaks for a potential burnout operation.  Burnouts will occur Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, weather permitting.  When burnout operations are implemented, nearby communities will see a large increase in fire activity and smoke, with the potential of a column forming.

SPECIAL CONCERNS & CLOSURES:  Public and firefighter’s safety is always the primary concern . The Forest Service (FS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have issued closure orders for the area around the fire including roads and trails.  There is a TFR for the area.  Please check InciWeb for the current order if recreating in the area.  Smoke may be visible from Whitehall, Boulder, 1-90 and 1-15. If burnout operations are implemented, there will be a large increase in fire activity and smoke.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7142

 or follow the Forest on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usfsbdnf or Twitter https://twitter.com/BvrhdDrldgeNF/

To receive daily update through email call the contact number above.