Sawmill Complex Morning Update: Aug. 31

By Sawmill Complex Fire Information, Guest Writer, 8-31-07

A mandatory evacuation is in effect for Upper Willow Creek Road (Granite County) from the 8 mile marker north.  The Upper Willow Creek Road (Granite County) is open to residents only.

Rock Creek residents are still under a 24-hour pre-evacuation notice.  Rock Creek Road is closed to non-residents from mile post 1 to the intersection with County Road 348. Rock Creek Road is closed to all traffic, including residents, from Mile Marker 12 to Trout Haven / Miller Flats (approximately Mile Marker 20).  The alternate route for Trout Haven and Miller Flat residents is along the Rock Creek Road to the south.

Complex Wide: Yesterday was an active burn day. Today will be less active. Strong gusts are possible this afternoon.  There is a 20% chance of a wetting rain (0.1inch) this afternoon and a 50% chance tonight.  Falling snags, heavy smoke, rolling rocks and additional traffic due to fire efforts continue to be a significant hazard. Crews will continue attacking spot fires and provide point protection.  A season ending event is likely within the coming weeks. 

Fisher Point Fire (12,469 acres, date of origin 7/28/07) Yesterday there was heavy burning in interior pockets and the fire moved east towards the Upper Willow Creek meadow. Helicopter use was limited yesterday due to the inversion and smoke.  Fire will be active today with the potential for the fire to spot over Upper Willow Creek and push up against Black Pine Ridge.  Residents in the Upper Willow Creek area and ranchers with cattle in these locations are encouraged to begin taking precautionary measures. 

Wyman 2 Fire (34,230 acres, date of origin 7/29/07) Crews will continue to monitor, mop up and patrol along Rock Creek.  Eagle Creek continues to smolder and burn out.  The fire has moved south past Stony Creek.  Helicopter use was limited due to the inversion and smoke.

Sawmill Fire (11,041 acres, date of origin 7/15/07) Yesterday the south side the fire continued burning down into the unnamed drainage south of Welcome Creek.  Crews will continue working to hold the line on the south end. On the northeast side the fire moved down towards Rock Creek.  Partial burnout operations were conducted yesterday in this area. The inversion and smoky conditions limited visibility but helicopters were able to work the north side and hold it south of Solomon Ridge. Gilbert Creek will be used as a contingency line if the fire spreads north.

Sawmill Complex Statistics at a Glance:

* Date Complex Started:  July 31, 2007
* Location: 22 miles Southeast of Missoula MT.
* Cause: Lightning
* Fuels: Timber, litter, and grass
* Size: 58,033 acres.
* Containment: 22 %
* Cost:  $15,548,000
* Resources:  Crews 10; Helicopters 4; Engines 33; Personnel 617

The reallocation of resources between the three fires will be continuing as well as the release of excess resources.

Personnel working the incident include crews from Canada and Mexico, making this an interagency and international effort. 

The Montana National Guard is assisting with roadblocks and security efforts. 

The Skalkaho Road is not affected by these closures. 

Due to water conditions and fire operations Rock Creek is closed to fishing from Skalkaho Highway Bridge to the Clark Fork River. 

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’ website 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/

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.

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