Fire officials say that with weather predictions of cooler temperatures, lower snow levels and more precipitation over the weekend, the Bitterroot's fire season may finally be winding down.
Nan Christianson with the Bitterroot National Forest reports that the Gird End Fire seems to be reaching the end of its run, and fire managers estimate its current acreage at 2,514 acres.
There are no closures in affect for the area around this fire. But, forest officials are reminding people to use caution when traveling in or near burned areas. The recently burned slopes can be unstable, generating rolling rocks that may end up on trail or road beds.
Current weather forecasts call for light precipitation to develop late on Friday and intensify throughout the weekend, with the potential for snow to accumulate above 4,500 feet in elevation.
(from September 30, 2009)
The cooler, wet weather is helping fire managers who are watching over the Gird End Fire which is burning 2,000 acres, a dozen miles east of Hamilton.
Fire officials report that precipitation has slowed the fire. Following a Wednesday morning check, the patrols at Skalkaho Highway were removed and no movement with the fire was reported.
Patrols will be sent up to check for rolling debris in the road as there are a couple pockets of heavy dead and downed fuel that are still smoking.
The snow level is below the lowest point in the fire which helping to quiet the blaze. Additional information about the blaze can be obtained by calling the Darby Ranger District at (406) 821.3913.
Meanwhile, the Table Mountain Fire which is burning about 20 miles southwest of Philipsburg has grown to 5,242 acres.
But the good news is that the Lolo Hotshots fire crew woke to find two inches of snow on their tents Wednesday and are now headed home while 34 personnel are still at the scene of the blaze.
Firefighters succeeded in keeping the fire away from private lands and 11 cabins in the Frogpond Basin historic mining area about 23 miles southwest of Philipsburg.
Officials say that Roads 70 and 5072 are closed at their junction near Moose Meadows for public safety. Trail 8019 has also been closed. Earlier closures remain in effect.
In the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, sections of forest road and trails in the fire area have been closed for public safety. Roads 70 and 5072 have been closed at their junctions. Trail 8019 is closed. Road 80 is closed from its junction with Road 78388 to the Bitterroot National Forest boundary near the Montana Prince Mine. The three sections of closed trail include:
- Trail 313 between Rooster Comb and Hole in the Wall.
- Trail 8162 (South Fork Ross Creek Trail) from Frogpond Basin to the Ross' Fork of Rock Creek.
- Trail 8020 (Whetstone Ridge Trail) from Frogpond Basin to Zeke's Meadows.
- In the Bitterroot National Forest, an area that begins at the Sign Creek Trailhead (Trail 40) and that includes portions of Trails 40, 313, and 168 in the Sapphire Mountains Wilderness Study Area has been closed for public safety.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
The Gird End Fire which is burning a dozen miles east of Hamilton is now said to be burning roughly 2,000 acres, marking a big jump from earlier numbers.
Fire officials flew over the perimeter of the blaze on Tuesday morning and estimated the acreage burned to be 2,000. The fire is now backing down to Montana Highway 38 and quickly moving into Skalkaho Basin according to fire officials.
There are concerns being voiced about smoke causing visibility problems along the Skalkaho Highway as the blaze is expected to produce smoke on Tuesday as it pushes north and east. The blaze has now burned into the Ann Fire from 1994.
Meanwhile, the Table Mountain Fire continues to chew up acreage with the latest estimates showing that it's now burning about 5,000 acres. That marks an increase of 2,000 acres since Monday.
The blaze is burning 20 miles southwest of Philipsburg with smoke clearly visible from Hamilton. 59 personnel are assigned to the fire which was sparked by lightning on September 2nd.
Fire officials the Star Falls Fire is now approximately 10 acres in size, and is burning in sparse fuels on rocky ground.
The Sula Ranger District is actively suppressing this human-caused fire located near Star Falls within the Anaconda-Pintlar Wilderness Area, which is near 6,000 ft in elevation.
Additional information about this fire can be obtained by calling the Sula Ranger District at (406)821.3201.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
(from September 28, 2009)
The Table Mountain Fire burning 20 miles southwest of Philipsburg has grown to 3,800 acres according to Inciweb and continues to produce smoke which is visible from Hamilton.
Crews were able to keep the blaze away from private lands and 11 cabins in the Frogpond Basin historic mining area as air tankers dropped retardant throughout the day Sunday, helping the Lolo Hotshots fire crew and five engines keep the fire away from the cabins in Frogpond Basin.
Fire officials say the fire is within half a mile of the closest cabins, some of which have been wrapped to protect them from fire. Sprinklers are also being set up on some cabins to keep them wet.
All residents of occupied cabins have been contacted. Residents of one cabin chose to leave. Five residents were staying at their cabins but were asked to be ready to leave if the fire reaches a ridge that has been identified as the evacuation trigger point.
Fire managers flying above the fire were able to make a good estimate of its size, about 3,800 acres, with unburned areas inside the fire's perimeter creating a mosaic pattern, said Charlene Bucha Gentry the Pintler District Ranger based in Philipsburg.
In the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, a section of forest road and three sections of trail in the fire area have been closed for public safety. Road 80 is closed from its junction with Road 78388 to the Bitterroot National Forest boundary near the Montana Prince Mine. The three sections of closed trail include:
- Trail 313 between Rooster Comb and Hole in the Wall.
- Trail 8162 (South Fork Ross Creek Trail) from Frogpond Basin to the Ross' Fork of Rock Creek.
- Trail 8020 (Whetstone Ridge Trail) from Frogpond Basin to Zeke's Meadows.
Meanwhile, in the Bitterroot National Forest, an area that begins at the Sign Creek Trailhead (Trail 40) and that includes portions of Trails 40, 313, and 168 in the Sapphire Mountains Wilderness Study Area has been closed for public safety.
Firefighters are working to keep the Table Mountain Fire from burning south to the private land and cabins in Frogpond Basin, but otherwise the fire is being managed for long-term resource benefits, including maintaining natural processes and wilderness characteristics in the Sapphire Mountains Wilderness Study Area.
Fire officials say that the Gird End Fire experienced a significant increase in activity on Sunday afternoon and active burning continued through Monday.
An Air Patrol flew the fire at 1:00 on Monday, and estimated the size at 455 acres. The Skalkaho, Gird and Butterfly Roads have been posted to warn those traveling into the area about the danger of active fire and smoke.
The area closures around the fire were lifted late last week and with the anticipated change in weather, with snow predicted on or near the elevation of the fire, no closures are anticipated at this time.
This fire is located on the Darby Ranger District, between Skalkaho Mountain and Skalkaho Highway. No roads, structures or private property are currently threatened by the blaze and fire managers continue to carefully monitor its activity and spread, and will take action if there is any threat to infrastructure or property.
Elsewhere, the Star Falls fire, located near Star Falls on the Sula Ranger District, remains at ¼ to ½ acre in size. It is creeping and smoldering through fuels in the area, showing very little activity.
And the newest addition to fires on the Bitterroot NF was located late Sunday afternoon approximately ½ mile southwest of the confluence of Sentimental Creek and Little West Fork Creek on the West Fork Ranger District.
At ½ acre in size, this lightning-caused fire appears to have been creeping around under rocks and duff for some time, and became visible late on Sunday afternoon.
Eight firefighters were dispatched to this fire and are making good progress at containment and control.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
The 900 acre Table Mountain Fire is continuing to burn about 22 miles southeast of Hamilton, throwing a lot of smoke into the air.
The blaze is about one mile of the northern end of the Chain of Lakes, and about one mile west of Frog Basin on the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest.
The fire started on Thursday and the cause is still unknown. Fire officials say that due to its location, firefighters have been using helicopter water drops to help contain it.
Meanwhile, the Gird End Fire which is burning southwest of Skalkaho Mountain is sitting at about 200 acres burned.
Smoke was visible from Hamilton over the weekend as the fire made a move to the east. The fire has burned across the drainage and has moved up the ridge.
Prior to Sunday, the blaze had been burning in the same basin since ignition. This fire is being monitored for resource benefit and will continue to produce smoke on Monday as it moves north and east.
The fire is burning in lodgepole, whitebark pine and sub-alpine fir.
(from September 25, 2009)
Several fires are burning in, and around, the Bitterroot Valley. A smoke column that's being seen over the Sapphires east of Hamilton is coming from the Table Mountain Fire.
It is located on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, about one mile north of the northern end of the Chain of Lakes and about one mile west of Frog Basin.
The blaze has burned about 900 acres and a fire closure is in effect for part of the area: 1/2 mile on either side ofTrail #313 between Rooster Comb and Hole in the Wall; of Trail #40 from Sign Creek Trailhead east to the intersection of Trail #313; and of Trail #168 from Moose Creek Trailhead north to the intersection with Trail #313.
Meanwhile, the Watchtower Fire, which started on Thursday is burning on Watchtower Trail across from Fales Flat Campground about 22 miles up the West Fork Road. It's estimated at 3/4 acres and 13 firefighters have been working on the fire.
Due to the location of the fire on the trail, firefighters have been using water ‘bucket drops' from helicopters to help contain the fire. Firefighters are mopping up the area. There are no trail closures in the Fales Flat area but there is fire traffic on roads in the area.
The Gird End Fire is still burning south of Skalkaho Mountain on the Darby Ranger District, and has shown very little fire growth over the past week. It is currently 125 acres in size, and continues to be managed for benefits it is generating for natural resources in the area.
