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Solomon Fire Update for Sept. 3, 2022
Solomon Fire
Publication Type: News 09/03/2022
Solomon Fire Update - Sept. 3, 2022:
Fire behavior and activity on the Solomon Fire is expected to increase today due to a Red Flag Warning, which includes low relative humidity, southwest winds, and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Firefighters and engines will be actively patrolling the Rock Creek Corridor and remaining vigilant of the conditions. Firefighters are also actively patrolling the fire from the air. The fire is most active during the afternoon hours when temperatures are high and relative humidity is low.
Yesterday, the fire grew by approximately 25 acres and is now 75 acres in size, burning into a heavy fuel component of dead and down trees. Fire growth has been primarily to the north and east as the fire is steadily burning through a bowl of dead and down fuel, exhibiting fire behavior that consists of occasional single and group tree torching, short-range spotting and short up-hill runs. The fire is burning up high (6,800 feet of elevation) in a steep, thickly timbered area with snags, or hazard trees, making up about half of the standing fuel.
Smoke production is expected to increase today due to predicted conditions. Smoke is expected to be visible today from the Rock Creek Road and the Rock Creek recreation corridor, and parts of the Bitterroot Valley. If you are recreating in the Rock Creek area, please drive with caution as fire vehicles will be present.
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.
Updated Closure Information: Due to increased fire activity, the following trails are closed for public safety (please reference the closure map):
- 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.
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.