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The Trail Ridge fire southeast of Sula was moderated by cooler and wet weather the last few days with similar conditions expected over the coming week.
The fire has grown slightly to 17,070 acres and is 30% contained.
Precipitation Tuesday and Wednesday night helped slow the fire’s progression and the continuation of cooler temperatures with higher humidity is expected to help maintain the fire’s current behavior, with minimal growth and little smoke reported yesterday.
The fire remains near Mink Creek Saddle and Shultz Saddle Road on the northern flank. Crews continue to work on road prep and indirect line construction along Meadow Creek Road to meet the 2017 Myers Fire fuel break. On the southern flank the fire remains north of Hogan Cabin and work on the indirect line is nearing completion.
The fire is still within containment lines and has not reached the Action Point identified for the ‘Warning’ stage of the Evacuation Plan at this time. As the fire nears this Action Point, Fire Managers and the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Department are prepared for the possibility of moving into this ‘Warning’ stage, although, this is unlikely at this time. For more information on the Ravalli County Evacuation Plan visit the Ravalli County Sheriff’s website at https://ravalli.us/622/Evacuation-Guidelines.
The Blodgett Lake fire is now estimated at 1,882 acres. The fire has crossed Blodgett Creek along the east flank and is smoldering in down and dead fuels. Recent moisture and cooler temperatures have slowed fire progression.
The Mill Creek fire is currently estimated at 1,608 acres. The Mill Creek, Big Creek, Bear Creek, and Kootenai Creek drainages continue to be filled with heavy smoke, hampering aerial reconnaissance according to a statement released by fire officials on Thursday. Crews constructed a thirty-foot-wide shaded fuel break on the west side of Sheafman Road (FS-438) from Cow Creek trailhead to Sheafman trailhead.
Crews will scout opportunities for control lines north to Fred Burr Creek. Crews continue working on indirect control lines along the Forest Service Private Property boundary from Mill Creek south to Blodgett Canyon, utilizing heavy equipment as they work to slow the fire's spread east towards private and DNRC lands.
The Big Creek fire burning in the South Fork of Big Creek on the ridge between Big Creek Lake and the South Fork of Big Creek is currently at 265 acres.
The Bear Creek fire is currently burning 153 acres in the upper South Fork of Bear Creek.
A structure protection group will coordinate with fire departments to scout structures adjacent to Forest Service land east of the Big Creek, Bear Lake, and Blodgett Lake fires.
The Hog Trough fire is currently estimated at 1,701 acres and has seen minimal activity recently. Crews are working to keep the fire east of the 75 Road, south of Highway 38, west of West Fork Creek Road and north of Kent Peak. The fire is burning on both the Bitterroot and Deerlodge National Forests.
The South Fork fire located in the Powell Ranger District in Idaho, and about 12 miles west of Stevensville, is currently burning at 400 acres. The fire crested the Bitterroot Mountains into Kootenai Creek but spread was minimal and no new growth has been observed on the Montana side. The fire is burning in difficult terrain with no landing location for a helicopter. The fire is not staffed at this time but patrols and lookouts will be monitoring the fire for activity.
The North Lost Horse fire is currently burning at 15 acres between Lost Horse and North Lost Horse. Water drops were conducted on the northern and southern flanks of the fire on Wednesday to prevent spread into heavier fuels.
The 2.5 acre Lost Horse fire was detected by satellite on Sept. 6. The fire is staffed and receiving water-bucket drops by helicopter. No changes have been reported at this time.
Several other smaller fires (less than an acre) continue to burn in the area with little or no change.
Jessica Abell is the editor of the Ravalli Republic.
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