Firefighters battle blazes across Western Montana
Flames torch high in some trees in the Long Gulch Fire last week in Mineral County. Firefighters got the blaze contained quickly and it burned about 12 acres. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
By SCOTT SHINDLEDECKER
Valley Press
Firefighters are battling a number of fires across Western Montana, but rain in the region was expected to give them a welcome break Monday.
The largest is the Cinnabar Fire in Granite County. It's at more than 2,100 acres.
According to U.S. Forest Service officials, Sunday's fire activity resulted in an increase of a couple hundred acres. Most of the growth occurred in Ferret Creek as the fire burned to the northeast toward Welcome Sawmill Saddle and the 2007 Sawmill Fire scar. On the western edge, the fire has neared Bitterroot/Rock Creek Divide Trail 313 in some areas.
Helicopters worked hot spots with bucket drops throughout the fire. The Unmanned Aircraft System collected additional data for fire staff to use in managing the fire.
More than 260 personnel were working the fire and planned to continue line building. Masticators and heavy equipment are working along the 4268 road. Crews on the western edge will monitor and hold the fire at Bitterroot/Rock Creek Divide Trail 313.
The team included Northern Rockies Team Seven and a Type II Incident Management Team. Resources assigned to the incident include two hotshot crews, three initial attack crews, two engines, one camp crew, seven helicopters and several pieces of heavy equipment.
An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Missoula Ranger District, Lolo National Forest, and Stevensville Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest. The closure includes the entire Welcome Creek Wilderness and additional roads and trails adjacent to the Wilderness for public and firefighter safety.
For the current closure and map visit Inciweb. The Rock Creek Road 102 corridor and
recreation access remains open.
In Mineral County, crews got the Long Gulch Fire under control last week.
The fire was in Long Gulch within the Tamarack Creek drainage on the Superior Ranger District in Mineral County, about 5 air miles northeast of St. Regis.
The Long Gulch fire was reported at 8:20 p.m. Aug. 24 by Pat’s Knob and Camel’s Hump Lookouts. Firefighters who were first on scene worked throughout the night to install hose lay and build fire line.
As of 9:30 a.m. Aug. 25, the fire was estimated at 8 acres in size and grew to 12 acres as it burned in an active logging unit within the 7 Mag timber sale. A timber processor and several log decks were damaged.
The Helena Hot Shot crew relieved the initial attack resources and took over working on the fire. Contract water tenders were also assisting with suppression efforts.
The cause of the fire is under investigation. If anyone has information about the fire,
please call Morgan Dale, Special Agent for the Lolo National Forest, at (406) 329-3835.
A new fire popped up eight miles southeast of Arlee Sunday, according to Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribal Fire Manager C.T. Camel.
The Finley Fire is believed to be caused by an unattended campfire and is under investigation. The fire was 25 acres, but no structures were threatened and there were no evacuation notices at this time.
Resources working the fire were 20 Division of Fire personnel, 10 smokejumpers, two helicopters and four single engine air tankers.