Closure Order Rescinded October 24, 2022

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE
 

BITTERROOT NATIONAL FOREST DARBY RANGER DISTRICT 
BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST WISDOM RANGER DISTRICT

Supervisor’s Order

Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the prohibition listed in Order number 22-D2-07

TRAIL RIDGE FIRE AREA CLOSURE, applicable to the Darby-Sula Ranger District,

Bitterroot National Forest, dated September 22, 2022, and signed by Matthew D. Anderson, is

hereby terminated effective October 24, 2022.

INCIDENT COMMANDER: Cache Gibbons

October 24, 2022

Trail Ridge Fire

Fire Summary

Approx. 5 miles SE Sula, MT

Approx. 11 miles NW of Big Hole National Battlefield

Size: 18,138 acres Completion: 80%

Personnel: 37

INCIDENT COMMANDER: Cache Gibbons

October 20, 2022

Trail Ridge Fire

Fire Summary

Approx. 5 miles SE Sula, MT

Approx. 11 miles NW of Big Hole National Battlefield

Size: 18,138 acres Completion: 78%

Personnel: 37

White River, Irving Peak, and Minnow Ridge Fires

October 19, 2022 

Unseasonably warm and dry conditions, with temperatures about 5 degrees above average, have contributed to a slight increase in fire activity over the past week. As a result of the natural increase in fire activity and lack of wind, the concentration of smoke has also increased.  A strong fall weather pattern with rain and possible snow is looking very probable to pass through the fire areas starting 10/21-10/23.  This pattern should help disperse smoke and moderate fire behavior along with reducing rates of spread.

White River and Irving Peak Fires (11,120 acres): The fire continued to progress toward the FS 200 road on the southern perimeter. This week, a spot fire was located across this road and was successfully contained by fire crews. All burning operations have ceased with no further burns planned unless fire behavior dictates that those actions are necessary.

A Type 4 Incident Commander and numerous fire resources including one helicopter, multiple engines, and a type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, remain engaged in the full suppression effort.

Operations on the Minnow Ridge Fire (4,662 acres):  The Minnow Ridge fire has had moderate growth with the most activity on the south-southeast perimeter in the Marble Creek and Gate Creek area. The western edge has not crossed Chickamin Creek.

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger 

The Salmon-Challis National Forest has had one (1) new fire in the last week.  To date, there have been 52 wildfires reported on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  47 of those reported fires are out.  

Votler (October 19): The one (1) acre fire was located approximately one (1) mile west of Gibbonsville on the North Fork Ranger District.  The fire burning in grass, Ponderosa pine, and dead and down timber is out.  The fire was likely human caused.  

Cabin (October 16): The one (1) acre fire was located approximately 18 miles southeast of Mackay on the Lost River Ranger District.  The fire burning in spruce and fir is out.  The fire is likely human caused.  

Cedarville Fire (October 16): The one (1) acre fire is located approximately 18 miles southeast of Mackay on the Lost River Ranger District.  The fire is burning in spruce and fir is 100% contained and controlled.  The fire is likely human caused.  

Patterson Fire (September 29): The lightning fire is estimated at 263 acres.  The fire is located approximately 13 miles southeast of May on the Challis-Yankee Fork Ranger District.  The fire is burning in subalpine and Douglas fir, precipitation was received over the fire area throughout the weekend.  The fire is under a combination of a point protection and confine and contain strategies.  This strategy focuses operations on protecting valued resources such as structures, natural resources, cultural resources, and other property.  Risk to responders and public safety is the number priority for the Patterson Fire.  

Norton (August 1):  The lightning fire is located approximately seven miles northwest of Lower Loon Creek on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The 9,278 acre fire burning in subalpine fir, Douglas fir, sagebrush, and grass is in steep rugged terrain.  Fire activity is minimal, the fire is smoldering, precipitation was received over the fire area throughout the weekend.  The fire is under a point protection strategy, fire managers are utilizing air resources to determine action points and assess values in the vicinity.  Fire managers continue to assess the fire using aircraft.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8308/.  

Moose (July 17):  The 130,198 acre fire is 80% contained.  An Incident Commander (IC) and IC Trainee along with two (2) engines and a helicopter are assigned to the fire.  Starting late Friday, precipitation fell across the fire area, rain in the lower elevations and snow in the higher elevations.  Crews have been evaluating fire effects in the Municipal Watershed.  Initial assessments show fire effects are not detrimental to the health of the watershed.  Ongoing information about the fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8249/. 

Woodtick (July 14):  The lightning fire started as two separate fires approximately six (6) miles west, northwest of Meyers Cove on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.  The 9,834 acre fire burning in timber, grass, and brush is in steep rugged terrain.  Fire activity is minimal, the fire is smoldering, precipitation was received over the fire area throughout the weekend.  The fire is under a point protection and confine and contain strategies with risk to responders and public safety being the top priority.  The fire can be found on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8253/. 

Weather:  Skies will continue to clear through the morning before clouds increase again this afternoon ahead of the next approaching low.  Snow will enter the area around noon and continue throughout the day.  Snow accumulations will be greatest across the Sawtooths, where 2 to 6 inches are likely.  Winds will be breezy, with gusts 20 to 30 mph. 

The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the HIGH fire danger for the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.  Never leave a campfire unattended.  Always add water, stir it, and make sure all embers are out.  If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave! 

Nationally, there are 13 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 29 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.  

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow Us’ on Twitter @salmonchallisnf. 

 Cedar Creek Fire

Incendio Cedar Creek

Incendio Cedar Creek