Single Publication

The Bull Gin Complex is comprised of three wildland fires and is currently 1,790 acres and 0% contained. An infrared flight occurred at 10:00 PM yesterday evening providing updated acreage for each fire.

Government Fire: 791 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Noxon, MT)

Billiard Fire: 771 acres (approximately 2 miles NE of Heron, MT)

Isabella Lake Fire: 228 acres (Cabinet Mountains Wilderness)
 

Current and Planned Activity

Government Fire: Yesterday, the south and east areas of fire were most active in Miller Gulch. On the west side, handcrews, along with helicopter bucket support, held the fire at a dozer line north of the 150 road as the fire gently backed down towards Government Creek. Engine crews tested structure protection equipment installed around the structures along Government Mountain Road. Today, fire crews will hold and improve dozer line along Government Creek and extend the line north to implement a continuous holding feature. Brushing and clearing will continue along the 150 road. Firefighters are working with landowners to scout line and implement a fireline on the southern edge above private structures.

Yesterday, Bull Gin Complex fire resources responded to an initial attack near the Rock Lake trailhead. Firefighters successfully constructed containment line and installed hoselays around the three-acre perimeter. Today, firefighters will extinguish remaining heat near the fire edge.

Billiard Fire: Yesterday, the Billiard Fire experienced minimal growth along the western edge. Firefighters worked with heavy equipment to connect machine line and handline from Fatman Road to the ridgeline. Local Cabinet Ranger District employees and Grangeville Helitack crew members flew to the Star Peak Lookout yesterday and successfully wrapped the lookout in heat resistant material. Today, crews will hold and improve the 2290 road and continue efforts to connect line to Blue Creek Road. The structure protection group is conducting fuel removal in the Hillside Lane area and implementing water systems.

Isabella Lake Fire: The fire is burning in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness and remains unstaffed and monitored from the air. Minimal growth of approximately 21 acres occurred yesterday.

Evacuations: 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 Fire, Billiard Fire, and Isabella Lake Fire to provide for public safety and firefighting operations. More detailed information regarding closures can be found on Inciweb or the Kootenai National Forest Webpage.

Weather: Cooler temperatures in the low to mid 60s, with northeast winds 5 to 10 mph and gusting up to 25 mph on the ridgetops.

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