Fire danger reaches extreme conditions

SANDERS COUNTY- With the official fire danger level set to “extreme,” emergency services throughout Sanders County are on high alert and taking additional measures to respond in the case of a wildfire. At the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation facility in Plains, two helicopters were on stand-by last week to respond should the need arise.

As of publication, one helicopter remains at the airport in Plains while one was deployed to a fire near Phillipsburg approximately 20 miles southeast of Missoula. Each aircraft serves a specific purpose during an operation to suppress a fire.

One helicopter on stand-by was the Astar 350B3 manned by a crew from Arizona. The aircraft is designed to carry cargo, a special bucket to drop water and personnel to a fire. The aircraft is specially modified to meet the multi-faceted needs of wildland firefighters with equipment underneath the fuselage to attach loads.

The aircraft can carry up to five crewmembers and one pilot. The helicopter is powered by a turboshaft engine, has a range of slightly over 400 miles and can fly for four hours before needing to refuel.

The second aircraft at the DNRC is the first helicopter designed specifically for external lift operations. The KMAX has a load capacity of 6,000 pounds and features a unique rotor configuration. The dual rotors on top of the helicopter that counter-rotate and the absence of a tail rotor allow the aircraft to lift extremely heavy loads while providing a very stable flight.

According to pilot Jonathan Hight, the KMAX can haul loads of water or equipment other aircrafts are not capable of handling. A single pilot controls all operations associated with the KMAX including flight and dropping water or delivering cargo. Hight said the aircraft could haul an amount of water that weighed 5,600 pounds.

“We can haul 700 gallons of water at a time,” said Hight. “That may not sound like a lot but we can get there in a hurry and it’s pretty effective and accurate.”

According to DNRC Fire Supervisor Calvin Minemyer, additional measures such as having the two helicopters on scene are being undertaken to increase firefighting capabilities. With the approach of Stage 1 fire restrictions imposed by the Northern Rockies Coordinating Group that go into effect August 1, Minemyer said the DNRC will continue to stay on high alert.

“We are continuing our patrols of campsites and training,” said Minemyer. “Our personnel are working extended hours as the conditions warrant.”

According to Ranger Randy Hojem, the Forest Service is also preparing for extreme fire conditions. Hojem said the Forest Service keeps up to 20 personnel nearby in case of a “start.”

“We make sure we have sufficient staff to be able to respond in the event of multiple starts,” said Hojem. “What we really want people to be aware of is human activity that can cause a fire because once they start they have been moving really fast.”

Stage 1 fire restrictions will go into effect on August 1 throughout West and Central Montana. According to the NRCG, the restrictions apply specifically to campfires and smoking. With the lack of rainfall, high winds and dry conditions, campfires are restricted to designated campsites and smoking is prohibited except in vehicles, a building or in an area that is three feet in diameter and free of fuels.

The restrictions apply to areas outside of city limits and will remain in effect until further notice. More information can be found at www.firerestrictions.us.

The Northern Rockies Coordinating Group was created to provide an interagency solution to wildland fire management. According to the website, the purpose of the NRCG is “to further interagency cooperation, communications, coordination and to provide fire management direction and all-risk support for the Northern Rockies Geographic area.”