Incident: Shane Ridge Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-14 08:38:00
SAUNDERS & SHANE RIDGE FIRES
DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET
(406) 254-9536
www.inciweb.org
DATE: Friday, July 14, 2006, 7 a.m.
The Saunders fire is human-caused fire four miles west & southwest of Columbus, Mont., in Stillwater County. The Shane Ridge fire is a lightning-caused fire five miles west of Joliet, in Carbon County.
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Tom Heintz, Lead Public Information Officer: Pat McKelvey
AGENCIES: Local volunteer fire departments, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Current Resources
Saunders Fire Shane Ridge Fire
Personnel: 262 114
Engines: 36 14
Bulldozers: 2 1
Helicopters: 1 0
CURRENT SITUATION: Firefighters burned out an area at the 806-acre Shane Ridge fire on Thursday. The fire is 75% contained and was burning inside the fire’s perimeter, but not near the firelines. A new blaze seven miles south of Columbus called the McNally fire broke out Thursday. Thirty firefighters were able to contain this fire after it burned 30 acres of mostly grass. They had 10 engines and three water tenders. No buildings were threatened by either the Shane Ridge or McNally fires. The cause for the McNally fire isn’t known yet.
At the 3,175-acre Saunders fire the evacuation ordered for two subdivisions was lifted on Thursday, allowing all residents to go home. The fire is 95% contained and firefighters expect to have the fire contained by Friday at 6 p.m.
Meantime, the Benedict Gulch fire in Stillwater County and the Coal Creek fire in Carbon County have each been turned back to the counties from the incident management team working on the Saunders fire.
ACTIONS PLANNED: Crews and engines on all three fires will keep working on control lines. Mop-up will continue.
SPECIAL MESSAGE: In fire-prone areas, it’s vital for homeowners to reduce the amount of grass, needles, and trees that are close to homes. For ideas on making your home safe, go to www.firewise.org.
Fire-truck traffic may be heavy on many narrow roads in the Saunders fire area. Residents should drive with extra caution.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS: “Stage 1” fire restrictions go into effect in Stillwater, Carbon, and other southern Montana counties on Friday. Campfires are allowed only in developed recreation areas. Smoking can take place only in developed recreation areas, in vehicles and buildings, and in areas cleared of flammable vegetation.
See http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/fire/nrcg/Restrictions/stage1.htm for details.
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/283/538/
Incident: Pine Ridge Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-13 18:35:00
Hot, dry and windy conditions this afternoon pushed the Pine Ridge Fire to approximately 30,000 acres, prompting officials to prepare for possible evacuation of residents north of Hardin, Montana. With temperatures in the 90s and low humidities, the fire made runs both to the northeast and southwest, crossing the Bighorn River by late Thursday (7/13) afternoon.
Personnel working on the fire this afternoon had to retreat to safety zones during times of rapid fire spread. No injuries were reported for the operational period. Resources on order include engines, water tenders, dozers, and aircraft.
Approximately 152 structures are threatened by the blaze; 63 of them are residences.
A total of 166 personnel are currently assigned to the fire.
http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/282/535/