Rat Creek Fire Update: Sept. 3

By Rat Creek Fire Information, Guest Writer, 9-03-07

Rat Creek and Pattengail Creek Fires
Monday, September 3, 2007
For More Information:
Pattengail Creek Fire (406) 832-3178 x211,
Rat Creek Fire (406) 689-3915
www.inciweb.org, or www.fs.fed.us/r1/b-d/

On Sunday, both the Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek Fires were active. 

The Pattengail Creek Fire was visibly active throughout Sunday afternoon, particularly on the west and northwest flanks.  Water drops from helicopters were used yesterday and will continue today.  The fire is still several miles inside the Forest boundary and backing down slowly to the west and north.  Additional resources have arrived and strategically placed.  These resources include the Flathead Interagency Hot Shot Crew as well as five engines.  Helicopters with buckets are also available if needed.

On the Rat Creek Fire, the north, south, and west sides stayed relatively calm with the east and northeast sides showing the most activity.  Firefighters were able to complete 2000’ of fire line and put in place hoses and pumps. Using engines and helicopters with buckets, firefighters were able to hold the east side of the fire within contingency lines in spite of the increased fire intensity.  Much of the smoke visible in the valley was from interior burning as well as adjacent fires in the region.

Today’s forecast calls for increasing temperatures and lower humidity.  This will mean another day of active burning on both fires.  Winds are also expected to increase.  There is a possibility for cooler, moister conditions Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Red Flag Warning:  The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area encompassing the Pattengail Creek and Rat Creek Fires effective Monday, September 3 rd, from 1 p.m. till 7 p.m.  A Red Flag Warning indicates that weather conditions exist for extreme behavior and new fire starts.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Fire Restrictions and Closures:  Highways 43 and 93 are open.  An area closure remains in effect north of Highway 43, from Chief Joseph Pass up the Continental Divide, east down the Bender Creek-Hell Roaring Creek divide to the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest boundary, and south to Highway 43.  Due to public safety concerns, the Forest has closed the May Creek campground and two rental cabins (May Creek and Gordon Reese cabins).
The historic Hogan Cabin on Trial Creek Road has been wrapped for protection.  Neighboring Bitterroot National Forest to the west has closed nearby lands and roads leading to the west side of the Continental Divide, including the Gibbons Pass and Schultz Saddle roads.

Visitors are reminded that southwest Montana is in Stage 2 fire restrictions; no campfires or smoking outside of a vehicle or building – except in cleared, designated areas. 

Editor’s note: As part of our fire coverage, NewWest.Net is posting here the email updates and press releases we get directly from fire camps as we get them. These do not replace our ongoing full coverage of the fires at www.newwest.net/fire, but supplement the information you get throughout the day with the updates we get throughout the day. We aim to give you all the information we get and here it is in its “unfiltered” form. For full stories, check back often at www.newwest.net/fire and continue to look for these updates from fire camps in the link box on the right-hand side of the page.

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