BEAR CREEK FIRE

FIRE INFORMATION FACT SHEET

August 14, 2020   8:30 a.m.

 Phone:   406-284-5602 (information line: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

 406-417-0415 (media line)

DATE OF DETECTION: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CAUSE:  Lightning

CURRENT SIZE:  4,200 acres

CONTAINMENT:  0%

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: The Type 2 IMT (Northern Rockies Team 5) assumed command of the fire at 0600 yesterday. Resources assigned to the fire include eight helicopters, two fixed-wing water scooping airplanes, one Type 2 IA crew, three Type 1 crews, five engines and 193 total personnel.

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITY:  Crews continued to scout for additional opportunities to utilize the existing road system to maintain pace with the flanking fire. On the east side, crews scouted and prepped for burn out operations from the 1882 and 1849 roads to tie into the 70020 road, eventually extending to the Continental Divide. On the north end of the fire, crews worked from Trapper Creek westward to Frying Pan. On the southern flank, crews and a dozer constructed indirect line (away from the active edge of the fire) from the 1882 road to the 1883 road. Two large water-scooping fixed wing aircraft (“scoopers”) dropped water to assist crews on the ground. Additionally, helicopters provided aerial support and supervision. The northern flank of the fire remains the most active. There was active fire behavior overnight north of a section of the 1883 road, burning out a pocket of heavy fuels in the South Fork of Everson Creek.

TODAY’S WEATHER:  Today’s forecast includes relative humidity readings in the high teens to low 20s. Wind gusts are expected between 10mph and 22mph on the fireline, with highest wind gusts on ridgelines above 8,000 feet. Strong winds are expected to re-emerge late on Sunday. Temperatures will be in the high 60s. Smoke is visible over a large area including Dillon, communities of the Big Hole Valley, Tendoy, Lemhi Valley, and the area surrounding Salmon, Idaho.

TODAY’S PLANNED ACTIVITY:  On the east side, crews will work with heavy equipment to improve existing line in preparation for possible burn out operations from the 6869 road to the 1883 road this evening. The burn out will occur if conditions are favorable to remove residual unburned fuels. Crews will also scout routes to access the area from the 1883 road to the Continental Divide, with dozer support. To the north, crews will construct and improve fireline, preparing existing roads for possible burn out operations in the Frying Pan drainage. Crews will scout for access to the Continental Divide further south from the current line location on the west side, keeping the fire footprint as small as possible. Air operations will relocate the helibase closer to the fire from its current location. They have established a 15,000 gallon heli-well at a location closer to the fire. Helicopters are available for water drops when needed, beginning at 9 a.m.  Additional resources will be assigned, as they arrive.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. 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 resources on the east side of the fire.

CLOSURES:  All BLM administered lands south of Lemhi Pass Road, west of U.S. Highway 324, and east of the Continental Divide along the Montana State line are closed (the map of the closure can be found here and closure order can be found here).  All B-D Forest Service lands adjacent to BLM administered lands (south of Lemhi Pass Road, west of BLM administered lands, and east of the Continental Divide along the Montana State line) are closed (the map of the closure  and closure order can be found here). Salmon-Challis National Forest Forest has closed Road #60185 Warm Springs Road from Lemhi Pass north for 3.6 miles and Forest Road #60013 Agency Creek Road from Lemhi Pass to the intersection with Forest Service Road #60068 Copper Queen Mine Road (the map of the closure  and closure order can be found here). Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forests have closed the Continental Divide Trail  (CDT) from Goldstone Pass to Bannock Pass (the map and closure order can be found here). This CDT closure excludes any areas under jurisdiction of the BLM. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from Brenner Lane to the Idaho border. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic.

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 13, 2020 8:00 p.m.

Phone: 406-284-5602 (information line: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)

406-417-0415 (media line)

DATE OF DETECTION: Tuesday, August 11, 2020

CAUSE: Lightning

CURRENT SIZE: 4,200 acres

CONTAINMENT: 0%

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: The Type 2 IMT (Northern Rockies Team 5) assumed command of the fire at 0600 today. Resources assigned to the fire include six helicopters, two fixed-wing water scooping airplanes, three Type 1 Crews, three engines and 193 total personnel.

TODAY’S ACTIVITY: Crews continued to scout for additional opportunities to utilize the existing road system to maintain pace with the flanking fire. On the east side, crews scouted and prepped for burn out operations from the 1882 and 1849 roads to tie into the 70020 road, eventually extending to the Continental Divide. On the north end of the fire, crews worked from Trapper Creek westward to Frying Pan. On the southern flank, crews and a dozer constructed indirect line (away from the active edge of the fire) from the 1882 road to the 1883 road. Two large water-scooping fixed wind aircraft (“scoopers”) dropped water to assist crews on the ground. Additionally, helicopters provided aerial support and supervision. The northern flank of the fire remains the most active.

TOMORROW’S WEATHER: The wind is expected to die down tonight. Tomorrow’s forecast includes relative humidity readings in the high teens to low 20s. Strong winds are expected to re-emerge on Sunday. The east aspects are seeing stronger fire runs due in part to being sheltered from the wind. Temperatures will be in the high 60s. Smoke is visible over a large area including Dillon, communities of the Big Hole Valley, Tendoy, Lemhi Valley, and the area surrounding Salmon, Idaho.

TOMORROW’S PLANNED ACTIVITY: On the east side, if conditions are favorable, crews will conduct burn out operations from the 6869 road to the 1883 road to remove residual unburned fuels. Crews will also scout routes to access the area from the 1883 road to the Continental Divide. To the north, crews will construct and improve fireline, preparing existing roads for possible burn out operations in the Frying Pan drainage. Air operations will relocate the helibase closer to the fire from its current location and establish a heli-well at a location closer to the fire. Helicopters are available for water drops when needed, beginning at 9 a.m. Additional resources will be assigned, as they arrive.

SPECIAL CONCERNS: Public and firefighter safety concerns are the top priority. The fire is burning in timber/heavy fuels. These fuels will continue dry out with low relative humidity and high wind gusts. The area provides poor access and there is a lack of water in the immediate area of the fire. Extreme fire behavior includes crowning and spotting. Crews will work to protect cultural resources on the east side of the fire.

CLOSURES: All BLM administered lands south of Lemhi Pass Road, west of U.S. Highway 324, and east of the Continental Divide along the Montana State line are closed (the map of the closure can be found here and closure order can be found here). All B-D Forest Service lands adjacent to BLM administered lands (south of Lemhi Pass Road, west of BLM administered lands, and east of the Continental Divide along the Montana State line) are closed (the map of the closure and closure order can be found here). Salmon-Challis National Forest Forest has closed Road #60185 Warm Springs Road from Lemhi Pass north for 3.6 miles and Forest Road #60013 Agency Creek Road from Lemhi Pass to the intersection with Forest Service Road #60068 Copper Queen Mine Road (the map of the closure and closure order can be found here). Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forests have closed the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) from Goldstone Pass to Bannock Pass (the map and closure order can be found here). This CDT closure excludes any areas under jurisdiction of the BLM. Lemhi Pass Road is closed from Brenner Lane to the Idaho border. The public is strongly encouraged to refrain from entering the area/nearby road system due to heavy fire traffic. 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/

NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM AREA CLOSURE AND TRAIL CLOSURE - BEAR CREEK FIRE 

All Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest lands adjacent to BLM administered lands (south of Lemhi Pass, west of BLM administered lands, and east of the Continental Divide along the Montana-Idaho Stateline) are closed.  Additionally, the Continental Divide Trail on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Salmon-Challis National Forests is closed from Goldstone Pass to Bannock Pass. 

For further information, please refer to Forest Order 2020-D1-017 posted on the Bear Creek Fire Inciweb page under the photographs tab.   

BEAR CREEK FIRE EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURE

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at VERY HIGH Fire Danger. 

On Inciweb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6951/

FIRE PREVENTION ORDER
CLOSURE
ORDER NUMBER LLMTB000-20-01-DD

Pursuant to Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 9212.2 (a), (b) (1), the following acts are prohibited on Bureau of Land Management lands administered by the Dillon Field Office.

These lands are described as follows: All BLM administered lands south of Lemhi Pass Road, west of U.S. Highway 324, and east of the Continental Divide along the Montana Stateline.    

Under Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 9212, Section 9212.1 Prohibited acts: Unless permitted in writing by the authorized officer, the following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Going into or being upon any lands designated in the closure order.

Pursuant to 43 CFR 9212.2 (b) (3), those persons exempted from this order include the following:

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions.
3. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
4. Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
5. Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

43 CFR 9212.4 Penalties
Any person who violates any of these supplementary rules may be tried before a United States Magistrate and fined in accordance with 18 U.S.C. 3571, imprisoned no more than 12 months under 43 U.S.C. 1733(a) and 43 CFR 8360.0-7, or both.  In accordance with 43 CFR 8365.1-7, State or local officials may also impose penalties for violations of State law.

This order will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time on August 14, 2020 until rescinded. 

Done at the Dillon Field Office this 13th day of August 2020.

Amanda James
Field Manager
Dillon Field Office

Fire Update: Bear Creek Fire continues active fire behavior, hazardous Red Flag Conditions persist

The Bear Creek Fire was reported at approximately 10:30 am on August 11 in the Lemhi Pass area on the Dillon Ranger District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. 

The fire size increased to approximately 1,500 acres this morning from the approximate 200 acres last evening. Fire officials report that it burned actively through the night due to low RH factors, which also limited humidity recovery for fuels. The cause of the fire remains unknown. 

An area closure will be done for public and firefighter safety, the first priority of fire management officials. Weather predictions show continued Red Flag Warning conditions including high winds, low humidity and a significant amount of dry fuels. The Red Flag Warning weather is predicted to persist through today. 

Resources on scene remain the same, with an addition of helicopters to two Type 1, two Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopters. Resources on site include: three Type 1 Crews; one Type 2 Crews; a Type 2 Initial Attack Crew; six Type 6 Engines; 1 tactical Water Tender. 

The Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) arrives today with an in-briefing planned at noon, following which the Type 2 Team will shadow current fire officials. At 6:00 am tomorrow, August 13, the Type 2 team will assume control of the fire. 

Smoke was laying in valleys early this morning, but will begin to “kick up” throughout the day. Smoke is visible over a large area, including Dillon, communities of the Big Hole Valley, Tendoy, Lemhi Valley, and the area surrounding Salmon, Idaho.

Bear Creek Fire Started Today, Displays Active Fire Behavior, While Hazardous Red Flag Conditions Prevail

The Bear Creek Fire was reported at approximately 10:30 am this morning.  The fire is currently located at Lemhi Pass on the Dillon Ranger District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

By midday the fire had grown to approximately 100 acres, and fanned by very high winds it reached over 200 acres by late afternoon. At this time the cause of the fire is not known.

Federal, state and local fire officials responded quickly, but both ground and air engagements were not safe and very difficult due to the active fire behavior and continued Red Flag Warning conditions including high winds, low humidity and a significant amount of dry fuels. Fire management’s first priority remains firefighter and public safety. Weather predictions show that the Red Flag Warnings will persist through Thursday, August 13 this week.

Currently resources on site include: two Type 1 Crews; two Type 2 Crews; a Type 2 Initial Attack crew; one each Type 2 and Type 3 Helicopters; six Type 6 Engines; 1 tactical Water Tender. Later today additional resources were ordered including four more Type 4 Engines, and three Type 1 Crews. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) was ordered and will arrive take control of the incident the morning of August 13th.

Smoke is visible over a significant area, including Dillon, communities of the Big Hole Valley, Tendoy, Lemhi Valley, and the area surrounding Salmon, Idaho.

Crews made great progress yesterday and the fire is now 100% contained and remains at 438 acres.  Type 3 team managing the fire transferred command back to the local area this morning, and many resources are being demobilized back to their home units or reassigned to other fires where they are needed. A smaller organization will remain to patrol and ensure the control lines remain secure, to pull pumps and hose lays, and to complete repairs of the suppression lines to prevent erosion.

Hawley Mountain Road 374 is temporarily closed at the 307 junction to all non-fire traffic. Water tenders and a grader continue to maintain the road.

The suppression of the fire is a joint effort between the Idaho Department of Lands, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Crews are making great progress with mop-up and the fire is now 70% contained and remains at 438 acres. Fire suppression repair activities are underway on the west side of the fire. Crews on the east side of the fire will continue to mop-up and secure the control line with pumps and hose lays. The Type 3 team managing the fire will transfer command back to the local area on Monday. A smaller organization will remain to finish securing and patrolling the area and complete the suppression repair.

The suppression of the fire is a joint effort between the Idaho Department of Lands, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

Hawley Mountain Road 374 is temporarily closed at the 307 junction to all non-fire traffic. Water tenders and a grader continue to maintain the road.