Chippy Creek Fire Morning Update: Aug. 29

By Chippy Creek Fire Information, Guest Writer, 8-29-07

Update:  August 29, 7:00 a.m. 
Fire Information:  Vickie Guthrie (406) 854-2187
Incident Commander:  Jess Secrest
Plains Information Center (406) 826-9009
Start Date:  7/31/07
Cost to Date:  $14,611,500
Cause:  Under Investigation
Containment:  80 percent
Acres:  99,090 acres
Estimated Date of Containment:  September 1, 2007

The Chippy Creek Fire is located 20 miles north of Plains and 12 miles north/northwest of Hot Springs, Montana.  Jess Secrest’s Type 2 Northern Rockies Interagency Incident Management Team is fighting the fire.

The Incident Command Post has moved from Plains to Marion to work the northern portion of the fire.  A smaller camp remains in Plains to support fire activities on the fire’s southern perimeter.  The new phone number for public information in Marion is (406) 854-2187, while the telephone number in Plains remains (406) 826-9009.

Yesterday’s Activities:  As expected, the fire smoldered and crept on Monday.  There was minimal surface fire on the interior of the fire except for an occasional single-tree torching in the afternoon. The northeastern perimeter of the fire remained the most active.  A rehabilitation group worked along the western flank of the fire.  Hand crews continued mop up operations around the perimeter of the fire where it could be safely accomplished.  Active burning was observed in the Alder Creek area.

Today’s Planned Activities:  Today’s activity will be much the same as yesterday.  Fire crews will continue to mop up along firelines.  Personnel will also be working to rehabilitate firelines as appropriate.  The focus will continue be working hot spots and patrolling for spot fires along the north edge of the fire.  Aerial resources will support crews where needed.

Resources assigned:  15 hand crews (20 people each), 30 engines, 8 dozers, 17 water tenders, and 5 helicopters for a total of 735 personnel.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Mostly sunny.  Temperatures will be in the mid 80’s, and humidity will range 12 to 15 percent, as a high pressure system builds over the area.  Afternoon winds are forecasted to be out of the west at 4 to 8 mph, with gusts to 16 mph.  A cold front will move through the area by the weekend.  The fire is expected to creep and smolder in very dry fuels.  Higher temperature and lower humidity by afternoon should make the fire more active, resulting in potential single and group tree torching and short upslope crown runs in the unburned islands within the fire’s interior.

Closures:  Although previously evacuated residents along the Hubbard dam road have been allowed to return home, that road remains closed to the general public due to fire traffic.  This closure will be re-assessed as needed, depending on fire traffic within the area.  The area and road closure order for the National Forest System lands, within the fire area, remains in effect and includes, in part, the following roads:  Bold Peak #5583, Big Rock Bassoo #5574, Big Rock Creek #881, Chippy Creek #882, Bear Creek #883, and Little Thompson River #519.  For more details, visit the Lolo National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo or call Chippy Creek fire information (406) 854-2187.

Public Meetings:  A community meeting is scheduled at the Hot Springs Elementary School in Hot Springs tonight, August 29, 2007, at 7:00 PM, to inform the public of the current fire status and rehabilitation efforts.  The public is invited to attend.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  The temporary flight restriction remains in place over the fire.  Pilots should be aware that numerous aircraft are working this incident and many more are in the air over fires within the region.

Other information sources:  Chippy Creek Fire information is posted on the Lolo National Forest website:  www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo, and on: http://www.inciweb.org.

Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.