Wildland Fire News Thread, 7/17: California, Montana and more

Haines Index Map - Higher Haines means fire growth tends to be stronger:

Haiines index

Fuel Dryness: Tells you how likely things are to burn if a fire gets started:

ten hour fuels

INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT
MONDAY, JULY 17, 2006 – 0530 MDT
NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS LEVEL 3

CURRENT SITUATION:

Initial attack activity was moderate nationally with 207 new fires reported. Thirteen new large fires (*) were reported, three each in the Eastern Great Basin and Rocky Mountain Areas, two in the Northern Rockies Area, and one each in the Northern California, Southwestern, Southern, Western Great Basin and Eastern Areas. One large fire was contained in the Rocky Mountain Area. Very high to extreme fire indices were reported in Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Idaho, and Wyoming.

NORTHERN ROCKIES AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

BUNDY RAILROAD, Billings District, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (McNitt) is assigned. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Stanich) has been ordered. This fire is eight miles northeast of Worden, MT in timber, grass and sagebrush. Voluntary evacuations are in place. Several structures, powerlines, rangeland, livestock, and timber remain threatened. Low humidity and drought conditions are impeding containment. Very active fire behavior with significant runs and spotting was reported.

PINE RIDGE COMPLEX, Southern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Bennett) is assigned. This complex, comprised of five fires, is 30 miles east of Billings, MT in sagebrush and agricultural fields. Numerous residences, other buildings, agricultural property and a rest area remain threatened. A portion of Highway 95 has been closed. Low relative humidity and windy conditions have been influencing fire behavior. Active fire behavior with surface spread and periodic torching was observed.

BLACK PULASKI COMPLEX, Miles City Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered. This fire is 25 miles north of Jordan, MT in ponderosa pine, grass, juniper, and sagebrush. Several residences are threatened. Weather, steep terrain, and dry fuels are hindering containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior with crowning, spotting was observed.

WATT DRAW, Miles City District, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reid) is assigned. The Team is also managing the Sage fire. This fire is 13 miles southeast of Ashland, MT in grass, timber and sagebrush. Residences and outbuildings remain threatened. Fire behavior and limited road access is hampering containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior with rapid spread and downhill runs was reported.

KING MOUNTAIN, Miles City District, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reid) is assigned. This fire is five miles south of Ashland, MT in grass and timber. Minimal fire activity was reported.

SAGE, Northern Cheyenne Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Reid) is assigned. North Cheyenne Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This fire is two miles northwest of Ashland, MT in timber, grass and understory. Active burning and spotting was reported.

HORTON-HAY, Eastern Land Office, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Grant) is assigned. The fires are 35 miles southwest of Miles City, MT in ponderosa pine, grass and sagebrush. Several homes, outbuildings, livestock, utility infrastructure and timber are threatened. Winds from passing thunderstorms and rough terrain are hampering containment efforts. Active fire behavior and continuous crowning runs was reported.

SODA CREEK FIRE, Lewistown Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Turman) has been ordered. This fire is 40 miles northeast of Grass Range, MT in grass and timber. The Crooked Creek resort area is threatened. Limited access is impeding containment efforts. Extreme fire behavior with major runs was observed.

BIRTHDAY 2, Crow Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This fire is ten miles south of St. Xavier, MT in timber. Numerous residences, commercial properties and other buildings remain threatened. Minimal fire activity was reported.

BUTTE CREEK, Northern Cheyenne Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs. This fire is eight miles north of Busby, MT in grass and dead and down timber. Limited access and steep terrain are hampering containment efforts. No further information was received.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SAWTOOTH COMPLEX, San Bernardino Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). A Unified Command has been established between a CDF Type 1 Incident Command Team (Henson) and the Forest Service. This complex is two miles east of Yucca Valley, CA, in chaparral and has merged with the Millard Complex. Numerous residences remain threatened. An evacuation order for the Rim Rock area remains effect for the general public, landowners will be allowed to enter. Extremely steep, rocky terrain continues to hinder containment efforts. An increase in relative humidity moderated fire activity.

MILLARD COMPLEX, San Bernardino National Forest. A Unified Command has been established between a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Walker), The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), the U. S. Forest Service, and the Riverside County Fire Department. This complex, comprised of four fires, State, Jump Off, For Sure and Millard, is seven miles north of Cabazon, CA in chaparral and conifer and has merged with the Sawtooth Complex. Structure protection for White Water Canyon remains in place. Numerous residences, tribal interests and cultural resources remain threatened. Moderate fire behavior with a low to moderate rates of spread was observed.

HEART, San Bernardino National Forest. A Type 1 Incident Command Team (Molumby) is assigned. This fire is eight miles southwest of Big Bear Lake, CA in timber and brush. This fire was previously part of the Millard Complex. Wildlife habitat and cultural resources are threatened. Moderate rates a spread isolated tree torching was reported.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

VALENTINE, Nebraska Department of Forestry (GPC Area). This fire is within the city limits of Valentine, NE in timber. Utility infrastructre, and a communications tower are threatened. Evacuations have been ordered for the north end of Valentine. Extreme fire behavior with torching was reported.

THORN DIVIDE COMPLEX, Crook County. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Lowe) is assigned. This fire is five miles south of Devils Tower National Monument, WY in timber and grass. Several residences, powerlines, timber, grazing land, and the National Monument remain threatened. Spotting and interior burning were reported.

FT. PIERRE COMPLEX, South Dakota Wildland Fire Suppression Area (GPC Area). This fire is 10 miles east of Ft. Pierre, SD in grass and brush. Several Residences and other buildings are threatened. Extreme fire behavior with rapid rates of spread was reported.

TWENTY MILE, Casper Field Office, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is 20 miles northeast of Douglas, WY in grass, sage, juniper, and ponderosa pine. Commercial property including a radio tower, pumping station, and natural gas well are threatened. Extreme fire behavior with running, crowning, and torching was observed.

LITTLE VENUS, Shoshone National Forest. This previously reported lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. This fire is 30 miles west of Meeteetse, WY in timber. Structure protection is in place for Venus Cabin. Greybull drainage, above the wilderness boundary is closed. Significant runs and crowning, torching, and spotting were reported.

EASTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

RANCH, Southwest Area, Utah State Division of Forestry Fire & State Lands. This fire is nine miles northeast of Leeds, UT in cheatgrass, brush, and pinyon juniper. Several residences and powerlines are threatened. Voluntary evacuation is in effect for Pintura, UT. I-15 has been closed. Active crown fire along with running and torching were observed.

SPRINGS, Moab District, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is seven miles north of Woodside, UT in timber. Rolling debris is limiting containment efforts. Minimal fire behavior with short runs, torching and short range spotting was observed.

JIM CREEK, Bridger-Teton National Forest. A Fire Use Management Team (Weldon) is assigned. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning 24 miles north of Pinedale, WY in timber. Active fire behavior with torching and small crown runs was observed.

LICK CREEK, Payette National Forest. A Fire Use Management Team has been ordered. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning 21 miles northwest of McCall, ID in timber. Active fire behavior with single tree torching was observed.

DRILL HOLE, Dixie National Forest. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning five miles north of Salt Gulch, UT in manzanita and mixed conifers. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and isolated torching was reported. This will be the last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

CANYON, Santa Clara Unit, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF). A CDF Type 1 Incident Command Team (Paul) is assigned. This fire is 11 miles west of Patterson, CA in chaparral. Several residences, ranches, rangelands, watersheds and Henry Coe State Park remain threatened. Difficult access, and steep terrain and windy conditions continue to hinder containment. The fire continues to burn actively within the perimeter. Bunt out operations continue.

GREASE, Plumas National Forest. This fire is 12 miles north of Beckwourth, CA in brush and timber. An evacuations of Conklin Park Campground is in effect. Active fire behavior with spotting was reported.

WESTERN GREAT BASIN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

TROY PEAK, Ely District, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is 8 miles north of Adaven, NV in pinyon, alpine fir, and slash. Steep rocky terrain, and heavy fuel loading is hampering containment efforts. Active fire behavior with torching was reported.

LUSETTI, Ely District, Bureau of Land Management. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning 20 miles northwest of Ely, NV in sage, pinyon juniper and mahogany. Moderate fire behavior with torching, running, crowning, and short range spotting was reported. This will be the last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.

BALLY, Ely District, Bureau of Land Management. This fire is seven miles northeast of Barley, NV in brush, slash, pinyon pine and juniper. Minimal fire activity was reported.

EASTERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

CAVITY LAKE, Superior National Forest. A Type 2 Incident Management Team (Stegmier) is assigned. This fire is 44 miles northeast of Ely, MN. Structures are threatened. Moderate fire behavior was reported.

TURTLE LAKE, Superior National Forest. A Fire Use Management Team (Svalberg) is assigned. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning 15 miles east of Ely, MN in heavy logging slash. Active fire behavior with single tree torching and short-range spotting was observed.

SOUTHERN AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

SPIKE BOX RANCH COMPLEX, Texas Forest Service. This fire is 15 miles northwest of Guthries, TX in juniper and brush. An oil pumping station is threatened. Active fire behavior was observed.

LEWIS CANYON, Texas Forest Service. This fire is 15 miles southwest of Abilene, TX in juniper, oak and mesquite. Rough terrain and drought stressed fuels are hindering containment efforts. Minimal fire behavior was reported.

LINDSEY BAY, National Forests of Florida. This fire is five miles southeast of Wilma, FL in southern rough. Fire activity continues to increase.

NORTHWEST AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

TIN PAN, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. A Fire Use Management Team (Furlong) is assigned. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning seven miles west of Lucerne, WA in timber. Interior torching was reported.

SOUTHWEST AREA INCIDENTS/LARGE FIRES:

WEST, El Malpais National Monument, National Park Service. This lightning-caused Wildland Fire Use (WFU) incident is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. The fire is burning 23 miles south of Grants, NM in timber, grass, and understory. Active fire behavior with some torching was reported.

OUTLOOK:

Fire Weather Watch: For southwest Utah for Monday for dry lightning and gusty outflow winds.

Weather Discussion: High pressure ridge remains over the West with hot, dry weather for most of the region. Monsoon moisture is slowly starting to filter into southern California and the southern Great Basin. In Minnesota, a cold front will move through the area for cooler temperatures and lower humidity.

.

Full NICC Report:
http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.rtf

Incident: Bundy Railroad Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-17 13:13:00

Bundy Railroad Fire

Fact Sheet

July 17, 2006

Bundy Railroad Fire Information Phone: 406-967-2507

Estimated at 80,000 Acres, due to significant runs the fire made to the northwest and then shifting to the southeast early yesterday morning. No significant perimeter expansion has occurred since midday Sunday.

Resources on Fire

29 engines 10 Type 1 Hot Shot Crew

2 Type 2 Hand Crews 2 Dozers

3 Graders 4 Helicopters

7 water tenders

390 Total Personnel

Operational Plan

Crews and Overhead will continue structure protection while working today to strengthen and hold line completed yesterday

Eight new Type one hotshot crews have arrived to bolster both the day and night shifts.

Weather

Today’s weather forecast calls for isolated thunderstorms, a mix of wet and dry, temperatures around 93-98 degrees with humidity in the mid to upper teens and southeast winds should increase over the east beginning Monday evening. The fire is expected to be active again today.

Other Events

The fire made a run to the North on July, 15 and to the Southeast on the morning of the 16th threatening several ranches and improvements. Crews were able to defend threatened structures as the fire spread by. Assistance was provided by Musselshell County resources. Crews made excellent progress on all divisions and will continue to improve and hold line with significant night operations.

Fire Managers ask that the public stay out the fire area for their safety as well as the safety of crews and resources on the fire. Smoke from the Bundy Railroad Fire and the Waco Fire in the Pine Ridge Complex south of the Yellowstone River continues to impact traffic in the Interstate 94 corridor. Pompey’s Pillar National Monument remains open to visitors. For more information, go to: http://inciweb.org\]

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/285/588/

I don't know one way or the other if that would work, but they do use crop dusters as Single Engine Air Tankers, aka SEATS

http://www.nbc.gov/news_winter_04/6.html

A little known firefighting resource, the Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT), has become one of the most important new tools in aerial firefighting. The SEAT is a small agricultural "crop duster" airplane that has been modified to drop fire retardant on wildfires. These aircraft are designed to fly low and slow which is ideal for dropping retardants. In contrast to the large air tankers that carry 2,000 to 3,000 gallons, the SEATS only carry 500 to 800 gallons of retardant. The SEAT does not replace large air tankers, but it is the ideal tool to use on fires that have just started. Retardant is not designed to extinguish a fire, it is dropped just ahead of the flames to slow or retard the spread. This gives firefighters time to arrive at the fire and actually put the fire out before more expensive resources are dispatched.

A service/support truck that carries both fuel and retardant mixing equipment accompanies each SEAT. The service/support truck can be dispatched to an airport near the fire and serve as a mobile retardant base for the SEAT, supplying both fuel and retardant.

________________

Through the help of tools like SEATs they do catch the large majority of all fire starts while they are still quite small.

SEATS, local initial attack people and smoke jumpers are the first line of defense. And they do an amazingly good job of it, too. I've seen days this year where dispatch offices might respond to 25 fires and only have 2 or three get larger than 100 acres. And that's impressive.

Cavity Lake wildfire roars on
Crews hope to contain flames to BWCA; intense blaze expected to 'become humble'
BY JANNA GOERDT
Duluth News Tribune

ON THE GUNFLINT TRAIL — The Cavity Lake wildfire burning in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness blowdown north of Grand Marais grew from about 1,300 acres to about 3,000 acres Sunday.

U.S. Forest Service officials called it an intense fire that is consuming dead trees and thick brush at a rate of 600 feet an hour.

But the smoke filling the horizon didn't worry the likes of Pat Dolan and John Schneider, Twin Cities-area residents who spent the day fishing on Sea Gull Lake, about a mile or so from the fire's leading edge.

"It was really pretty at sunset,'' Schneider said. "The ash was drifting down around us just like snow.''

People who live and play at the edge of the Gunflint Trail, which winds 50 miles north toward Canada from Grand Marais, were taking the fierce but under-control fire in stride.

"We've had so many (wildfire) issues that the public has become kind of acclimatized to it,'' said Debbie Mark, owner of Sea Gull Lake Outfitters.

The sky west of Sea Gull Lake, a popular fishing spot and BWCA Wilderness entry point, was hazy Sunday as plumes of grey, white and black smoke floated across the horizon. Bits of ash settled onto the lake miles away from the flames.

The Forest Service on Saturday closed portages north and south of the fire, routing canoeists well away from the blaze. Officials said no homes, businesses or people were in danger.

On Sunday, the fire was burning its way south and west from Cavity Lake, where it started Friday after lightning struck and ignited tinder-dry trees felled in the July 4, 1999, windstorm.

The combination of heavy fuel load, dry conditions and hot weather made the area ripe for a wildfire, said Jim Sanders, U.S. Forest Service supervisor for the Superior National Forest.

Small ground crews began moving around the fire Sunday, laying sprinkler hoses and preparing to start some back burns, said Greg Peterson from the Bureau of Indian affairs based in Bemidji. Peterson is planning how best to attack the fire.

"We want to keep the blowdown fire in the wilderness and out of the Gunflint corridor,'' Peterson said.

Meteorologist Roman Berdes, a fire weather forecaster for the National Weather Service office in Duluth, said fire crews battling the Cavity Lake fire can't expect much by way of favors from the weather in the coming days.

On Saturday afternoon, temperatures in the Boundary Waters region hit the 90s with low humidity — favorable conditions for a fire. The good news was that the southeasterly winds were only 5 to 8 mph.

"The fire's going to continue to burn, but I don't think it's going to spread too much with these winds,'' Berdes said.

The winds were expected to shift direction and increase to up to 12 mph over Sunday night, though, which Berdes said bodes ill for the fire crews.

"That shift in the wind is very dangerous if you're fighting a fire because the flames can shift,'' Berdes said.

But it's not all bad news for Cavity Lake. Berdes said a cold front was expected in the region about 3 a.m. and would drop temperatures about 10 degrees.

Two ground crews of 20 people each should be working ahead of the fire starting today, Peterson said. The crews will camp on the west end of Sea Gull Lake. Another crew will help fight the Turtle Lake fire in the BWCA Wilderness near Ely, Peterson said.

"Right now, this fire is moving slowly and deliberately,'' Sanders said. "When it gets into the prescribed burn areas, it will become humble.''

The fire is burning too intensely to be affected by water-dropping air tankers, officials said. Two Minnesota Department of Natural Resources CL-215 air tankers were used in the initial attack, and are available as needed.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has also ordered two Minnesota National Guard Blackhawk helicopters and their crews to stand ready in Bemidji, should they be needed.

Pawlenty flew over the wildfire and visited with several agencies cooperating to fight the fire Sunday afternoon. Pawlenty praised the agencies, including the Forest Service, the DNR, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and local agencies for banding together to fight the fire.

"The Boundary Waters is a Minnesota icon,'' Pawlenty said. "It's one of our treasured assets, and we want to protect and preserve it.''

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/15055495.htm?source=rss&channel=twincities_local

Notice: Temporary Stand Down

Due to the frequency, and number of Aviation Incidents involving aircraft owned and operated by New Frontier Aviation, of Ft. Benton Montana, all the Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) owned and/or operated by New Frontier Aviation, of Ft. Benton, Montana will be temporarily stood down for a period of not less than 48 hours, pending a review by Aviation Management Directorate.

This “Stand Down” is to be effective starting at 1000 MDT, on July 17, 2006.

A Notice will be issued when these aircraft are to be returned to service.

During this time period, no SEAT of New Frontier Aviation will be flown, but will remain on Availability, unless otherwise identified as unavailable.

The following SEATs are those identified by AMD as the aircraft affected.

T-461 M18 N4326M

T-464 M18 N92043

T-466 M18T N466AT

T-475 M18T N4QT

T-463 M18 N9152X

T-470 M18T N13458

T-471 M18T N7813T

T-489 M18T N110AF

T-469 M18T N116BS

T-455 M18T N455TG

T-467 S2r-660-T65 N660TR

T-407 AT802 N48523H

T-472 AT802 C-GLLG

If you have any questions please contact the National SEAT Coordinator ( 208-387-5419)or the National SEAT Program Manager (208-387-5872)

http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc/information/new%20fromntier%20stand%20down.htm

Firefighters are rushing to the Bull Mountains to help tame a fire that is approaching Highway 87 between Billings and Roundup.

The Montana Department of Transportation closed the road between the two cities at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Fire-information officer Paula Rosenthal said first report of the fire came during the noon hour. It had about 200 acres in grass and scattered pine by mid afternoon. The northern border of the fire is Majerus Road about 25 miles north of Billings.

Rosenthal said the fire ignited along a swath of lightning strikes this weekend. It’s too early for the fire to have a name, she said, but more information should be available this evening.
Local and state firefighters are being assisted by federal resources from the nearby Bundy Ridge fire near Pompeys Pillar.

“We’re putting as many resources on it as are available,’’ she said.

The fire is burning near the site of the gigantic Hawk Creek Fire of 1984, one of the largest and most destructive fires in Montana history.

http://billingsgazette.net/news/state/43-bullmtns.txt

Utah fire

Start Date: July 16, 2006

Fire Information: 435.979.2838

Cause: Lightning

Current Size: 1,500 Acres

Location: Located on the Fishlake National Forest, Fillmore Ranger District, 3 miles northeast of Cove Fort, Millard County, Utah.

Containment: 0%

Terrain: Valley bottoms to ridge tops including steep terrain with limited access.

Vegetation: Pinion, juniper, sagebrush, gamble oak and grass.

Resources: Total number of people on incident - Approximately 59
1 Type II Helicopters 7 Engines 2 Dozers
2 Hand crews 2 Overhead

Fire Behavior: Extreme.

Closures: Dog Valley Spring road is closed to public, fire personnel only.

Structures: Fire is progressing southwesterly and within two miles of the Cove Fort area. Numerous engines and dozers are in place to provide structure protection.

Injuries: No injuries to report.

Note: At 18:00 today, Lund’s National Type II Team will make transition and further fire information will come from her team.

http://www.utahfireinfo.gov/wildfires2006/dogvalleyfire.htm

	JACKASS
Updated: By: Position:	7/17/2006 18:30 hours) Helen Frazier Center Intelligence Dispatcher
Location: Start Date: Start Time: Current Size: Fuel Type: Jurisdiction: Assisting Agencies:	Jackass Flat, Risue Canyon about 8 miles NE of Walker, Ca. 7/17/2006 4:30 p.m. 500 acres Pinon-Juniper US Forest Service Mono County, East Fk. (Douglas Co.) MWTC (USMC), BLM, Nv. Division of Forestry, NHP
Public Safety: [Structures, Closures, etc.]	Desert Creek Roads have been closed to Hwy-338. Hwy 338 is still open. Precautionary measures have been taken to assure public safety in Risue Canyon and Desert Creek.
Other Threats: [Natural & Cultural Resources]	Unknown
Resources Assigned:	2	Air Tankers	2	Helicopters
	1	Water Tenders	1	Dozers
	2	Hand Crews	10	Engines
	2	Command Staff	75	# Personnel
Containment/ Control:	No estimate of containment or control
Remarks:	Fire is active on all flanks. No structures in the fire area.

MULTIPLE LIGHTNING FIRES (for Jackass fire, see above)
Updated: By: Position:	7/17/2006 @ 5:40 p.m. Helen Frazier Intelligence Dispatcher
Number Fires: Acres: Location: Jurisdiction:	3-6 not counting the Jackass fires 5-10 acres Bridgeport Ranger District, USFS USFS
RESPONDING UNITS	See Below
STRUCTURES	No structures are reported as threatened
FIRE POTENTIAL	Moderate at this time
Assisting Agencies:	BLM, East Fork (Douglas Co.), Mono County, Inyo National Forest, Marine Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC)
Contain/Control:	Masonic Fire is contained
Remarks:	AIRCRAFT ASSIGNED: 2 Single Engine Air Tankers, 2 Helicopters 1 Air Attack (observation plane) Priorities for aircraft is being set by Fire Officers and ability to get through the weather Storm Cells over the Walker area are prohibiting aircraft operations.

http://www.sierrafront.net/news%20releases.htm

Incident: Thorn Divide Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-17 21:08:00
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 17, 2006

6 p.m.

Thorne Divide Complex

More information, pictures, and a map of the Thorne Divide Complex can be found at www.inciweb.org.

Location: 5 miles south of Devils Tower National Monument near Carlile, WY

Size: estimated at 14,911 acres

Containment: 85%

Cause: Lightning

Evacuations and Closures: None

Personnel: 839

Resources include: 5 Type 1 handcrews, 13 Type 2 handcrews, 86 engines, 11 dozers, 22 water tenders, 244 overhead personnel, 3 Type 1 helicopters, 3 Type 2 helicopters and 1 Type 3 helicopter

Current Situation: Aerial resources made bucket drops during the day to cool down remaining hot spots within the fires. Hand crews patrolled and mopped up to 250 feet within the fire perimeter. Crews also worked on hazard tree removal. At the Madison Pump fire personnel worked on containment, mop up and structure protection.

Structure engines are staged within fire boundaries in case of a flare up. As residents travel through burned areas, they are reminded to be vigilant and watch for potential flare-ups. In addition, fire-weakened trees may fall without warning and stump holes and logs can and will continue to burn.

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/286/599/

Incident: Little Venus Wildland fire use for resource benefit
Released: 2006-07-17 20:58:00
Cody, Wyo., July 17, 2006—What sees fire from on high, but doesn’t fly or hover? Answer: the webcam perched on Irish Rock in the Washakie Wilderness, 30 miles west of Meeteetse.

Fire managers have placed the self-contained webcam up on the mountain to keep an eye on the Little Venus Fire, which is burning in beetle-killed trees and in high-elevation grasslands and shrubs.

“It’s much cheaper than a helicopter,” said Mark Giacoletto, fire management officer for the Shoshone National Forest, “and we get a regularly scheduled view, not just a one-time flyover perspective.”

The webcam comes with a solar power pack and a satellite phone. The picture is typically transmitted hourly between 8 am – 8 pm to www.inciweb.org, where all updated fire information can be found.

The camera was developed by the USDA Forest Service’s Missoula Technology and Development Center in Missoula, Montana, as part of their SAFE Project (Situational Awareness Firefighting Equipment).

“Our goal is to provide better information anywhere, anytime,” said Bob Roth, project leader. “We’re designing technology that’s easier and lighter to use.”

The center develops new technology related to the Forest Service’s work in conservation, fire management, and other fields.

The camera had a first-hand hourly view of the smoke column that was generated yesterday as a result of higher temperatures, wind, and lower humidity.

“The fire is doing what we expected and what we want it to do. It continues to clean up the Grey Bull River basin of dead and dying trees,” said Becky Aus, forest supervisor of the Shoshone National Forest.

Smoke and haze have been visible lately from Meeteese and Cody, originating from the Montana fires and from Little Venus. To see if the smoke in the air throughout the summer is from the Little Venus Fire, go to the InciWeb website!

Incident: Pine Ridge Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 2006-07-17 14:45:00
To date on the Pine Ridge Fire, air tankers have dropped approximately 90,000 gallons of fire retardant. Helicopters have added approximately 70,000 gallons of water from their buckets.

Fire managers estimate that the fire is approximately 60% contained. Plans for today call for continued reinforcement of fire lines as well as suppression activites along I-94, where the fire continues to creep and smolder, burning grasses and shrubs and occasionally torching individual trees.

With temperatures approaching 90 degrees and humidities extremely low, firefighters anticipate continued active burning on the complex, especially in areas of dense timber.

Improved mapping on the Sarpy fire accounts for most of the increase in acreage reported today. Total acreage on the Pine Ridge Complex is 100,339 acres.

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/282/590/

Incident: Jim Creek Wildland Fire used to benefit resources
Released: 2006-07-17 15:56:00
FACT SHEET Monday, July 17, 2006, 1:30 p.m.

Jim Creek Fire

Bridger-Teton National Forest Fire Information:

(307) 367-4326 or (406) 660-2347

The Jim Creek fire began on June 26 from lightning, 24 miles north of Pinedale, Wyoming, in the Bridger Wilderness. It’s above 8800 feet in elevation, and away from private property. The fire is burning in an area where such natural fires are permissible.

Status: About 450 acres.

Objective: To provide for public and fire personnel safety, and to allow the fire to burn where it won’t threaten private property, facilities, or other developments.

Recent Events: The fire grew significantly on Saturday and Sunday. The fire is being pushed east, farther into the wilderness, and higher in elevation.

This Week’s Strategy: Two fire personnel are monitoring the fire, assisted by a helicopter and other aircraft as needed. Also, a team of fire experts is developing a long-term plan for managing the fire.

The plan will include predictions about how and where the fire might burn, and what steps fire personnel could take to keep the fire burning where it will do some good. The team hopes to have the plan completed in its initial form later this week.

Forecast: Hot and dry conditions will continue for the next few days, with Tuesday being the hottest. Isolated dry thunderstorms are possible. The predicted high temperature on Monday is 91 in the valleys and in the 70s and low 80s at higher elevations.

Closures: The Jim Creek drainage is closed starting at Forest Road 710.

Other Points to Consider:

The Jim Creek fire is in the right place at the right time and doing good things for the land. We’re carefully reviewing the potential the fire has to affect private property and things we value. This review includes predicting where the fire might go, how it might burn at different times of year, and how we can influence the fire to meet objectives.

The Jim Creek fire would be very dangerous and risky for firefighters to fight, given the steep, remote terrain. By limiting firefighter activity around the fire, we won’t endanger them unnecessarily.

http://inciweb.org/incident/news/article/299/589/

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.