Single Publication

CURRENT STATUS  Heavy equipment and crews have completed removing hazardous trees along the 5071 road and connecting this work to the 5070 road, resulting in the fire’s completion percentage rising to 41%. To the west, hotshot crews continue to set up hose lays and sprinklers to increase the humidity in the dense vegetation along the constructed line in the Railroad Creek drainage. Along the 711 road, crews are chipping and extending handline to prevent the fire's spread beyond the road and connect to the handline along the 77 trail. Crews are utilizing chippers to reduce and chip fuels along the 75 road. To the north, the fire will be patrolled by aerial resources. Crews are also securing the northern perimeter of the fire by constructing handline directly next to the fire’s edge, following the 77 trail westward. 
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR  The incident meteorologist referred to today as a “heads-up day” due to predicted weather conditions and the poor overnight humidity recovery. Increased temperatures, relative humidity in the low to mid-teens, and gusty winds are expected today and tomorrow. The fire will be primarily wind driven, with 10 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 25 mph along ridgetops.  
Given these elevated, near-critical weather conditions, the burn period is expected to start earlier each day until another chance for monsoonal moisture enters the area starting Wednesday and into Thursday, as widespread thunderstorms could bring wetting rain and lightning to the fire area. Active fire behavior is expected in the southwest portion of the fire, with spotting possible up to a quarter mile if the fire runs upslope and into unburned fuels. Interior burning inside the 2005 fire footprint could cause a visible increase of smoke in the vicinity surrounding the fire.  
CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 
Road Closures:  Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) is open.   Skalkaho Road (Forest Service road 75) and Forest Service road 711 are both closed at the junction of Skalkaho Highway, including the ancillary roads leading from the 711 Road. Skalkaho Road is open past Mile Marker 5 (Skalkaho Creek-Jerry Lake Trailhead #503).  Forest Service roads 5070 and 5071 are closed.  
Trail Closures:  Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail #313 at the gate.   Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461.  A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156.   Skalkaho Creek – Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503.