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Final Solomon Fire Update - Sept. 13, 2022
Solomon Fire
Publication Type: News 09/13/2022
Solomon Fire Update (Sept. 13) - This will be the last update for the Solomon Fire unless conditions change.
Over the past few days, the Solomon Fire grew by approximately 30 acres and is now estimated to be 434 acres in size. The fire continues to exhibit moderate fire behavior, primarily on the eastern and the northern flanks of the fire. The fire continues to slowly burn in the main bowl below Solomon Mountain (at approximately 6,800 feet in elevation), burning through the heavy dead and down fuel. Firefighters are anticipating cooler weather and higher humidity for the rest of the week (9/13- 9/16) and into the weekend which will help to moderate fire behavior.This will be the last update for the Solomon Fire unless conditions significantly change. InciWeb will continue to be updated periodically. The fire will continue to smolder and light smoke may be visible until a season-ending event occurs which is either substantial rain or snowfall. On warm and dry days, the fire behavior may become more active exhibiting creeping, backing or isolated torching. Over the next few weeks, smoke may be visible from the Rock Creek Road, the Rock Creek recreation corridor, and parts of the Bitterroot Valley.
Firefighters will continue to patrol the fire from the Rock Creek corridor and the air until substantial precipitation falls on the fire area. A helicopter may be used as needed to check fire spread. The terrain, fuel type, and the presence of snag trees limit the ability to place firefighters directly on the fire. Firefighter and public safety is the top priority when assessing this engagement. No structures or infrastructure are currently threatened.
Incident Overview: The Solomon Fire is being managed under a point protection strategy which means that highly valued resources (such as buildings, infrastructure, or recreational assets) are being strategically protected from the fire, utilizing various natural and geographic features (past wildfires, trails, rock, and cliff bands) while protecting other values consistent with the Welcome Creek Wilderness. Air support, such as helicopters, may be used to slow and limit potential fire spread. Firefighters are patrolling and monitoring the fire via air and from vantage points on the ground and utilizing fuel moisture measurements, field weather observations, and fire models to inform the suppression strategy.
FUEL TYPE Burning in heavy timber, dead and downed timber, and snag trees (overhead hazards).
FIRE BEHAVIOR Occasional torching, creeping, and smoldering. Fire activity and smoke may increase in the afternoons with warm and dry conditions.
CLOSURES: Emergency trail closures are in place for public safety:
- Solomon Ridge Trail #142, from milepost 0.0 at Solomon Ridge Trailhead to milepost 4.2 at its junction with Trail #232.
- Welcome-Sawmill Saddle Trail #232, from milepost 0.0 at its junction with Trail #142 to milepost 5.4.
- Sawmill Ridge Trail #178, from milepost 0.0 at Sawmill Fishing Access to milepost 6.4 at its junction with Trail #232.
- Welcome Mountain Trailhead
WEATHER Firefighters are anticipating cooler weather and higher humidity through the rest of the week and into the weekend (9/13 -9/18).