Sawmill Complex Fire Daily Update: Sept. 8

By Sawmill Complex Fire Information, Guest Writer, 9-08-07

Rock Creek Road will re-open to the public at 7 a.m. today.  After the road reopens, National Guard units will be released from their duties maintaining road closures.

Upper Willow Creek Road (Granite County) is open to residents only.  Roads in the Stony Creek area remain closed due to firefighting activities in the area.

Area closures on the Lolo, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, and Bitterroot National Forests remain in effect because of fire activity. Access is open for driving the Rock Creek Road and fishing in Rock Creek only.  Hunting, camping, hiking, campfires, and other recreational uses are prohibited.

All persons driving through this area are reminded that fire traffic, including large trucks, will be continuing to use this road for fire access.  Drive slowly and watch for people along the roads.  Entry into all burned areas is still restricted to firefighters.  The fires have damaged the roots of many trees and have burned the roots of plants that help anchor the rocks and soil.  Watch for falling trees and rolling rocks. 

Rock Creek and Upper Willow Creek residents remain on notice for the possibility of an evacuation if fire conditions change significantly.

Complex Wide: Fire activity was minimal yesterday.  Despite lower humidity and some gusty winds, the fires showed few pockets of active burning.  Members of Tom Heintz’s Type 2 Incident Management Team arrived Friday and began working alongside their counterparts in Don Angell’s team. Heintz’s team took charge of the fire this morning. Fire activity is expected to stay moderate through the weekend, with cool temperatures and less gusty winds.  There are still areas where fuel accumulations and heat remain.  Single tree torching and short uphill runs are possible. 

Fisher Point Fire (15,010 acres, date of origin 7/28/07) had minimal fire activity Friday. Fire personnel will continue mopping up hot areas near the fire perimeter along the southeast edge of the fire and by Upper Willow Creek Road. 

Wyman 2 Fire (35,528 acres, date of origin 7/29/07) had minimal activity on Friday, even in the area north of Skalkaho Pass. The Helena and Idaho Panhandle Hotshot crews will continue working on extinguishing hot areas near the fire edge in the Skalkaho Pass area, assisted by two engines.  Crews will continue to monitor and patrol along Rock Creek and the lower part of Stony Creek. 

Sawmill Fire (11,818 acres, date of origin 7/15/07) was quiet. Helicopters dropped water on some of the remaining hot areas on remote parts of this fire, while crews continued to monitor and patrol west of Rock Creek.  Similar activities are expected today.

Sawmill Complex Statistics at a Glance:

* Date Complex Formed:  July 31, 2007
* Location: 22 miles southeast of Missoula MT
* Cause: Lightning
* Fuels: Timber, litter, and grass
* Size: 62,649 acres
* Containment: 30%
* Cost:  $18,500,000
* Resources:  Crews - 4; Helicopters - 4; Engines - 15; Personnel - 302

The Skalkaho Road is not currently being affected by road closures. 

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has closed portions of the Goose Gulch Rd. #4325, Otter Creek Rd. #8419, Miners Gulch Rd. #5156, and Upper Willow Creek Rd. (Granite County) #88. These roads are closed to all motorized vehicles, foot, bicycle, and horse activities for public safety due to fire activity. 

The Bitterroot National Forest has closed Trail #313 (Sapphire Divide) from the Skalkaho road to Sawmill Saddle.

Attention Hunters: Additional sections of the Lolo, Beaverhead-Deerlodge, and Bitterrroot National Forest have been closed due to the current fire activity. Please check the National Forests’ websites for the most up-to-date closures before proceeding to traditional hunting spots.

Lolo NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo/

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d/

Bitterroot NF: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot/

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