Sawmill Complex Fire Daily Update: Sept. 10

By Sawmill Complex Fire Information, Guest Writer, 9-10-07

Quick Fire Facts
Location: 22 miles SE of Missoula, MT
Approximate Size: 62,650 acres
Increase since last update: None
Fire Containment: 35%
Start Date: July 31, 2007
Cause: Lightning
Incident Commander: Tom Heintz
Resources on the Fire: 5 crews
3 helicopters
6 water tenders
13 engines
Total Personnel: 262
Est. Containment Date: Unknown
Cooperating Agencies: USFS, Montana DNRC, BLM
Landowners: USFS, BLM, Montana DNRC, Private

Yesterday’s Activities: 
There was heavy public use of the Rock Creek Road on Sunday, including sightseers and people fishing.  Wyman 2 Fire (35,528 acres): Crews continued to improve line and mop-up along the perimeter closest to Skalkaho Road; additional crews patrolled Rock Creek and Stony Creek Roads.  Fisher Point (15,011 acres): Crews continued working on direct line construction on the north and south flanks nearest Willow Creek Road by the private land.  Sawmill Fire (11,818 acres):  Crews provided protection at critical points along Rock Creek Road.

Weather and Fire Behavior Forecast for Today: 
A weak cold front is passing through Montana.  This will be followed by several days of warmer and drier weather. Nighttime temperatures will be colder under the clear skies.  Highs are expected to be 70 to 78 in the valleys and 62 to 69 at higher elevations.  Ridgetop winds will be out of the south at 3 to 6, then shifting to west at 5 to 10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.

Today’s Planned Actions: 
Crews will continue to patrol, mop-up, provide point protection, and use direct line construction. Numerous pieces of heavy equipment, overhead, support personnel and additional unneeded resources are being demobilized.

Special Notices, Alerts, Restrictions & Evacuation Levels:
Access is open for driving Rock Creek Road, fishing in Rock Creek, and camping in developed campgrounds and designated dispersed areas between the Rock Creek Road and Rock Creek only.  The rest of the area closure remains in effect.  Willow Creek Road remains closed to all but residential traffic.  Roads in the Stony Creek area remain closed due to ongoing firefighting activities.  Hunting, camping, hiking, campfires, and other recreational uses are prohibited within the area closure.
Snags are falling within the burned areas.  Live and dead trees affected by the fire are also falling near the fire’s perimeter. This has created a serious hazard for anyone who is on the roads and in opened areas.  Be aware that falling trees come down without warning.  Please be cautious.

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