Single Publication

The Bull Gin Complex is currently 3,047 acres and 0% contained.

Government Fire: 1,791 acres (NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire:  992 acres (NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 264 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)

While firefighters observed minimal growth on the fires yesterday, aircraft was unable to fly due to smoky conditions and low visibility. Smoke from local fires and fires to the west will remain close to the ground today limiting visibility. Please adhere to reduced speeds along the highways.

Government Fire: On the west side of the fire, in the Government Creek area, the fire slowly burned to the control lines, allowing firefighters to clear trees as they fall over the control line and utilize water to cool the fire’s edge. On the east side, heavy equipment crews work towards each other from the north and south, to connect a fuel break along the Rock Creek drainage. Masticators are mulching vegetation along the control lines to reduce fuels along the east side of the line. Crews will complete installation of hose lays north of residences and south of the fire from Government Mountain Road to Rock Creek Roads today. Removal of fuels by heavy equipment and handcrews on road 2763 is complete on the west side of the road, creating a check-line, to reduce fire heat and intensity as the fire moves south. Chippers will reduce the fuel loads along the east side of road 2763.

Heat remains interior on the three-acre Rock Lake Fire. The perimeter is secure and firefighters will begin to remove water handling systems.

Billiard Fire: Firefighters successfully implemented small firing operations along the 2290 road to consume fuels between the control line and the main fire. Crews quickly extinguished small spot fires that appeared on the northwest side of the fire. A dozer opened the 2293 road to serve as a check-line as the fire moved south. Water systems including hoses, sprinklers, pumps, and portable water tanks are in place for all structures along Blue Creek, Blue Creek Bay, Hillside Lane, and Fatman Road.

Isabella Lake Fire: The fire remains unstaffed and monitored.

Evacuations: On September 8th the Sanders County Sheriff’s Office placed the residents along Government Mountain Road and Timber Ridge Road into pre-evacuation status. Please sign up for Sanders County Emergency Alerts at 406-203-0082 to stay informed on the status of emergency conditions.

Closures: Area, road, and trail closures are in place for the Government, Billiard, and Isabella Lake Fires to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. See Inciweb for maps and closure descriptions.

Weather: Temperatures in the low-70s, mostly cloudy and smoky with light southwest winds on the ridgetop. Chance of rain this evening.

###