Bull Gin Complex grows to 3,000 acres
Fire crews wrapped the Star Peak Lookout in fire resistant material on Sept. 9. (Inciweb photo)
A trio of wildfires burning northeast of Heron and Noxon expanded their footprints over the weekend and contributed to poor air quality across the region.
The Bull Gin Complex was estimated at 3,047 acres on Monday, with 0% containment.
The Government Fire near Noxon had burned some 1,790 acres. The Billiard Fire near Heron was estimated at 992 acres, and the Isabella Lake Fire was estimated at 264 acres.
More than 600 firefighters are assigned to the complex.
On Sept. 8, the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office placed the residents along Government Mountain Road and Timber Ridge Road into pre-evacuation status. Residents can sign up for county emergency alerts at 406-203-0082 to stay informed on the status of emergency conditions.
Most fire growth on the Government Fire was on the north, east and south flanks.
Handcrews, engines, and skidgines successfully held the fire at control lines on the west side in the Government Creek area over the weekend; mitigating trees falling over the control line and utilizing water to cool the fire’s edge.
On the east side, as the fire approaches the Rock Creek drainage, vegetation removal along control lines was ongoing as firefighters and heavy equipment reduce the fuels along the road system. Construction of the dozer line to the south of the fire and north of residences on Government Mountain Road was completed.
On the Billiard Fire, the northwest flank was holding along constructed dozer and handline near the 2290 road, northeast of Fatman Mountain. Water systems are in place for all structures along Blue Creek, Blue Creek Bay, Hillside Lane, and Fatman Road.
The Isabella Lake Fire remained unstaffed and was being monitored from the air.