BEAR CREEK FIRE

FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET

August 25, 2020   8:00 p.m.

 Phone:   406-284-5602 (Information line, call or text: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

 406-417-0415 (media line)

DATE OF DETECTION: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CAUSE:  Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:  11,236 acres

CONTAINMENT:  70%

LOCATION:   Lemhi Pass area (29 miles East of Salmon Idaho)

JURISDICTION:  Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES:  Beaverhead County (MT), Lemhi County (ID), BLM, Montana DNRC, Salmon-Challis National Forest

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  Resources assigned to the fire include seven helicopters, three Type 2 IA crews, two Type 1 crews, three engines, and 316 total personnel.   

TODAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews, assisted by a helicopter, cleaned up areas where the fire crossed over the fireline in the northwest corner; effectively “picking up” all hot spots and removing residual heat. Crews added a small amount of burn-out to the south along the Continental Divide to reinforce that section of line. Suppression repair continued along the constructed fireline on the eastern and southern sections. Crews to the north also began suppression repair. Winds gusted to 40 mph but did not cause problems for the crews on the ground. No precipitation was associated with the passing thunderstorms.

TOMORROW’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  The forecast calls for cloudy and unstable conditions, with thunderstorms, lightning and erratic winds expected. Rain showers are likely to be spotty, with only a 15% chance of wetting rain greater than 1/10 of an inch. Temperatures are expected in the low to mid-70s, with relative humidity in the mid-20s. Stormy weather will bring erratic outflow winds from the southwest/west, with gusts expected up to 22 mph. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate tomorrow, with minimal single tree torching. Smoldering and interior burn-out is expected. In the Bear Creek drainage and previously burned out areas, fire activity is still expected. Winds over the fire area are highly variable due to topographic features and the proximity to the Continental Divide. The extended forecast calls for a cool and moist pattern through Friday, with a warmer and drier day on Saturday.

TOMORROW’S PLANNED ACTIVITY:  Crews will mop-up and hold the northwest area of the fire. On the northern, southern, and eastern flanks, crews will use heavy equipment and dozers to complete suppression repair, pulling back berms and smoothing out the constructed firelines. Demobilization of excess resources will occur over the next few days; those resources will be available for reassignment to other fires.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. Any public using the roads near the fire area should expect heavy fire traffic; please drive slowly for safety reasons. Hunters should check Inciweb and/or call for closure information and maps.

The fire is burning in timber/heavy fuels. These fuels will continue to dry out with low relative humidity. The area provides poor access and there is a lack of water in the immediate area of the fire. Crews will work to protect cultural and natural resources and other values at risk.

CLOSURES:  Area, road, and trail closures are in effect. Refer to the “Closures” and “Photos” tabs of the Inciweb site for narrative descriptions and maps of all agency closures. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from its junction with Montana Highway 324 to Lemhi Pass. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic. There are no official evacuation orders associated with the fire.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6951

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

BEAR CREEK FIRE

FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET

August 25, 2020   8:00 a.m.

 Phone:   406-284-5602 (Information line, call or text: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

 406-417-0415 (media line)

DATE OF DETECTION: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CAUSE:  Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:  11,236 acres

CONTAINMENT:  70%

LOCATION:   Lemhi Pass area (29 miles East of Salmon Idaho)

JURISDICTION:  Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES:  Beaverhead County (MT), Lemhi County (ID), BLM, Montana DNRC, Salmon-Challis National Forest

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  Resources assigned to the fire include seven helicopters, six Type 2 IA crews, two Type 1 crews, 9 engines, and 405 total personnel.   

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews on the northwest corner held the line where they completed burnout operations, cleaning up residual heat and gridding for hot spots through the green, unburned areas. Crews, assisted by helicopter bucket drops, successfully located and put out several spot fires of up to 5 acres in the area. Crews extended the burned line to the south along the Continental Divide. Heavy fuels continued to burn in the area, with active fire behavior also present on the northern flank, interior to the line, and along the edge of the southwest side of the fire. Along the 3903 road, on the northern flank, crews patrolled the line, reinforcing and securing areas with residual heat. Suppression repair along the constructed fireline was the main focus on the eastern and southern sections, with fire personnel working alongside resource advisors to implement the rehabilitation plan.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Cloudy and unstable conditions are expected, with thunderstorms and erratic winds. Rain showers are expected today and tomorrow, with a 25% chance of wetting rain greater than 1/10 of an inch. There is a 30% chance of lightning hitting the fire area. Temperatures are expected in the mid-70s, with relative humidity in the mid-20s. Stormy weather will bring erratic outflow winds from the southwest/west, with gusts expected up to 30-40 mph. The fire area received a trace amount of precipitation, and relative humidity recovery overnight was good (56%). Fire behavior is expected to moderate today, with minimal torching. Smoldering and interior burn out is expected. In the Bear Creek drainage and previous burn out areas, fire activity is still expected. Winds over the fire area are highly variable due to topographic features and the proximity to the Continental Divide. The extended forecast calls for a cool and moist pattern through the Friday-Saturday timeframe.

TODAY’S PLANNED ACTIVITY:  Crews will continue to check the areas where the burn-out pushed the fire line on the northwest side of the fire today, gridding for hot spots and suppressing any residual heat. Suppression repair will continue along the constructed fireline on the eastern and southern sections. Crews to the north will also begin suppression repair, with the assistance of a dozer. Air operations will release the sky crane tonight, making them available to assist with other fires, and drain the heli-well tomorrow. 

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. Any public using the roads near the fire area should expect heavy fire traffic; please drive slowly for safety reasons. Hunters should check Inciweb and/or call for closure information and maps.

The fire is burning in timber/heavy fuels. These fuels will continue to dry out with low relative humidity. The area provides poor access and there is a lack of water in the immediate area of the fire. Crews will work to protect cultural and natural resources and other values at risk.

CLOSURES:  Area, road, and trail closures are in effect. Refer to the “Closures” and “Photos” tabs of the Inciweb site for narrative descriptions and maps of all agency closures. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from its junction with Montana Highway 324 to Lemhi Pass. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic. There are no official evacuation orders associated with the fire.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6951

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

BEAR CREEK FIRE

FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET

August 24, 2020   8:00 p.m.

 Phone:   406-284-5602 (Information line, call or text: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

 406-417-0415 (media line)

DATE OF DETECTION: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CAUSE:  Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:  10,706 acres

CONTAINMENT:  70%

LOCATION:   Lemhi Pass area (29 miles East of Salmon Idaho)

JURISDICTION:  Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES:  Beaverhead County (MT), Lemhi County (ID), BLM, Montana DNRC, Salmon-Challis National Forest

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  Resources assigned to the fire include seven helicopters, six Type 2 IA crews, two Type 1 crews, 9 engines, and 405 total personnel.   

TODAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews on the northwest corner held the line where they completed burnout operations, cleaning up residual heat and gridding for hot spots through the green, unburned areas. Crews extended the burned line to the south along the Continental Divide. Crews, assisted by helicopter bucket drops, successfully located and put out several spot fires of up to 5 acres in the area. Heavy fuels continued to burn in the area, with active fire behavior also present on the northern flank, interior to the line, and along the edge of the southwest side of the fire. Along the 3903 road, on the northern flank, crews patrolled the line, reinforcing and securing areas with residual heat. Suppression repair along the constructed fireline was the main focus on the eastern and southern sections, with fire personnel working alongside resource advisors to implement the rehabilitation plan.

TOMORROW’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Rain showers are expected tonight and tomorrow, with a 25% chance of wetting rain greater than 1/10 of an inch. There is a 30% chance of lightning hitting the fire area. Temperatures are expected in the mid-70s, with relative humidity in the mid-20s. Stormy weather will bring erratic outflow winds from the southwest/west, with gusts expected up to 30-40 mph. Active fire behavior is expected in the Bear Creek drainage, where the winds align with the topography. Winds over the fire area are highly variable due to topographic features and the proximity to the Continental Divide. The extended forecast calls for a return to dry, cool weather with a possibility of snow in the mountains early next week.

TOMORROW’S PLANNED ACTIVITY:  Crews will continue to check the areas where the burn-out pushed over the fire line on the northwest side of the fire today, gridding for hot spots and suppressing any residual heat. Suppression repair will continue along the constructed fireline on the eastern and southern sections. Crews to the north will also begin suppression repair.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. Any public using the roads near the fire area should expect heavy fire traffic; please drive slowly for safety reasons. Hunters should check Inciweb and/or call for closure information and maps.

The fire is burning in timber/heavy fuels. These fuels will continue to dry out with low relative humidity. The area provides poor access and there is a lack of water in the immediate area of the fire. Crews will work to protect cultural and natural resources and other values at risk.

CLOSURES:  Area, road, and trail closures are in effect. Refer to the “Closures” and “Photos” tabs of the Inciweb site for narrative descriptions and maps of all agency closures. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from its junction with Montana Highway 324 to Lemhi Pass. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic. There are no official evacuation orders associated with the fire.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6951

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

BEAR CREEK FIRE

FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET

August 24, 2020   8:00 a.m.

 Phone:   406-284-5602 (Information line, call or text: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

 406-417-0415 (media line)

DATE OF DETECTION: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CAUSE:  Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:  10,706 acres (mapping from overnight infrared flight)

CONTAINMENT:  60%

LOCATION:   Lemhi Pass area (29 miles East of Salmon Idaho)

JURISDICTION:  Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES:  Beaverhead County (MT), Lemhi County (ID), BLM, Montana DNRC, Salmon-Challis National Forest

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  Resources assigned to the fire include seven helicopters, six Type 2 IA crews, two Type 1 crews, 13 engines, and 419 total personnel.   

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews on the northwest corner of the fire conducted strategic burnout operations in the area between the active fire edge and the Continental Divide, to “lock in” this corner of the line. Helicopters provided support with water drops. Single tree torching produced enough heat to generate a visible smoke column. A few areas of the burnout bumped the fireline; however, crews were successful with locating and suppressing all hot spots. The overnight infrared flight showed no heat in this area. Along the 3903 road, crews reinforced and held the line along their previous burnout operation. Crews to the east continued with suppression repair along the constructed fireline. On the south side, resources reinforced, held, and patrolled that section.

TODAY’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Cloudy weather and smoke will likely dampen fire activity this morning. Temperatures are expected in the low 80s, with relative humidity between 13-18%. Overnight humidity recovery reached 28% but has already fallen to predicted levels this morning. The forecast calls for increasing cloud cover with the potential for rain showers, although the chance of a wetting rain remains very low. Stormy weather will bring erratic outflow winds from the southwest/west, with gusts expected up to 30-40 mph. Active fire behavior is expected in the Bear Creek drainage, where the winds align with the topography. Winds over the fire area are highly variable due to topographic features and the proximity to the Continental Divide. The extended forecast calls for cloudy and cooler weather.

TODAY’S PLANNED ACTIVITY:  Crews on the northwest corner will hold the line where they completed burnout operations yesterday, cleaning up residual heat and gridding for hot spots through the green, unburned areas. Crews will extend the burned line to the south along the Continental Divide. Heavy fuels will continue to burn in yesterday’s burn out area; however, fire activity could lessen with the incoming weather. Along the 3903 road, on the northern flank, crews will patrol the line, reinforcing and securing any areas with residual heat. Suppression repair along the constructed fireline is the main focus on the eastern and southern sections, with fire personnel working alongside resource advisors to implement the rehabilitation plan. Visibility and smoke will continue to be limiting factors for air operations.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. Any public using the roads near the fire area should expect heavy fire traffic; please drive slowly for safety reasons. Hunters should check Inciweb and/or call for closure information and maps.

The fire is burning in timber/heavy fuels. These fuels will continue to dry out with low relative humidity. The area provides poor access and there is a lack of water in the immediate area of the fire. Crews will work to protect cultural and natural resources and other values at risk.

CLOSURES:  Area, road, and trail closures are in effect. Refer to the “Closures” and “Photos” tabs of the Inciweb site for narrative descriptions and maps of all agency closures. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from its junction with Montana Highway 324 to Lemhi Pass. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic. There are no official evacuation orders associated with the fire.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6951

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

BEAR CREEK FIRE

FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET

August 23, 2020   8:00 p.m.

 Phone:   406-284-5602 (Information line, call or text: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

 406-417-0415 (media line)

DATE OF DETECTION: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CAUSE:  Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:  10,500 acres

CONTAINMENT:  60%

LOCATION:   Lemhi Pass area (29 miles East of Salmon Idaho)

JURISDICTION:  Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

COOPERATING AGENCIES:  Beaverhead County (MT), Lemhi County (ID), BLM, Montana DNRC, Salmon-Challis National Forest

PERSONNEL AND RESOURCES ON THE FIRE:  Resources assigned to the fire include seven helicopters, six Type 2 IA crews, two Type 1 crews, 13 engines, and 419 total personnel.   

TODAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews on the northwest corner of the fire conducted strategic burnout operations in the area between the active fire edge and the Continental Divide, to “lock in” this corner of the line. Helicopters provided support with water drops. Single tree torching produced enough heat to generate a visible smoke column. A few areas of the burnout bumped the fireline; however, crews were successful with locating and suppressing all hot spots. Along the 3903 road, crews reinforced and held the line along their previous burnout operation. Crews to the east continued with suppression repair along the constructed fireline. On the south side, resources reinforced, held, and patrolled that section.

TOMORROW’S WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Cloudy weather and smoke will likely dampen fire activity tomorrow morning. Temperatures are expected in the low 80s, with relative humidity between 13-18%. The forecast calls for increasing cloud cover with the potential for rain showers, although the chance of a wetting rain remains very low. Stormy weather will bring erratic outflow winds from the west, with gusts expected up to 40 mph. Active fire behavior is expected in the Bear Creek drainage, where the winds align with the topography. Winds over the fire area are highly variable due to topographic features and the proximity to the Continental Divide. Dry, windy and cooler conditions are forecast through early next week.  The extended forecast calls for cloudy and cooler weather.

TOMORROW’S PLANNED ACTIVITY:  Crews on the northwest corner will hold the line where they completed burnout operations today, extending the burnout along the Continental Divide to the south under favorable conditions. Along the 3903 road, on the northern flank, crews will patrol the line, reinforcing and securing any areas with residual heat. Suppression repair along the constructed fireline is the main focus on the eastern and southern sections, with fire personnel working alongside resource advisors to implement the rehabilitation plan. Visibility and smoke will continue to be limiting factors for air operations.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. Any public using the roads near the fire area should expect heavy fire traffic; please drive slowly for safety reasons. Hunters should check Inciweb and/or call for closure information and maps.

The fire is burning in timber/heavy fuels. These fuels will continue to dry out with low relative humidity. The area provides poor access and there is a lack of water in the immediate area of the fire. Crews will work to protect cultural and natural resources and other values at risk.

CLOSURES:  Area, road, and trail closures are in effect. Refer to the “Closures” and “Photos” tabs of the Inciweb site for narrative descriptions and maps of all agency closures. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from its junction with Montana Highway 324 to Lemhi Pass. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic. There are no official evacuation orders associated with the fire.

For more information, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6951

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