NEWS RELEASE
Rice Ridge Fire Update for August 17, 2017
The community meeting will be held tonight, August 17 at 6pm at the Seeley Lake Elementary School. Yesterday Crews began strategic firing operations near Morrell Mountain. Conditions were favorable... more
Approximate Location
Incident Overview
The community meeting will be held tonight, August 17 at 6pm at the Seeley Lake Elementary School.
Yesterday Crews began strategic firing operations near Morrell Mountain. Conditions were favorable for both aerial and ground based firing operations. The resulting fire activity, allowed for progress towards completing the firing objectives. Air resources were used to drop retardant along the ridgeline to reinforce containment lines and reduce the chances of spotting. Crews in the northern and western portions of the fire continued to strengthen and reinforce indirect lines. Fuels reduction continued on public land north and east of the Double Arrow Ranch.
Today Fire managers will continue to use strategic firing operations along Morrell Mountain, working off the completed areas from yesterday. Aircraft will be dropping retardant in areas along the firing operation to enhance the dozer line west of Morell Mountain Lookout. Crews along the western and northern portion of the fire will finish removing downed fuels. Additionally, the crews will be maintaining hoselays and pumps to support holding and suppression efforts along this indirect line. Fuels reduction on the north and east side of the Double Arrow Ranch will continue.
Fire information booths will be staffed at the Valley Market and Rovero’s Hardware Store on Highway 83 from 11am to 4pm.
Air Quality: For current air quality information please visit inciweb to view the most recent report.
In the event of an evacuation, the American Red Cross will open a shelter. It is located at the Potomac Community Center, 29827 Potomac Rd., in Potomac. The shelter is on standby, anyone seeking to pre-evacuate that requires assistance or sheltering may call the Red Cross of Montana at 1-800-272-6668. Evacuees are urged to call before leaving for the shelter, as cell phone service is limited at the shelter. More info at http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.
Rice Ridge Fire Update for August 17, 2017
Rice Ridge Fire Information Map for August 17, 2017
Air Quality Report for Rice Ridge Fire Area for August 17, 2017
Basic Information
| Current as of | |
|---|---|
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Monday July 24th, 2017 approx. 04:30 PM |
| Incident Commander | Steve Goldman, Eastern Area Incident Management Team |
| Incident Description | Wildfire In Inaccessible Terrain |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 610 |
|---|---|
| Size | 12,244 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 10% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Sunday October 01st, 2017 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Lodgepole and mixed conifer, much dead and down |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Firing operations will continue on critical portions essential to protecting the community of Seeley Lake. Continue to reinforce indirect line using heavy equipment and crews on the south and west perimeter, minimizing exposure to personnel as much as possible. Provide aerial support with SEATs, air tankers, and rotor wing as available. Continue structure preparation and assessments in Seeley Lake, along MT-83, and Cottonwood Canyon |
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Current Weather
| Weather Concerns | Northwest flow aloft continues to produce dry and warm conditions across the incident. Afternoon humidity dropped into the mid-teens in the valley locations and lower 20s across the ridges with temperatures ranging from the lower 70s to lower 80s. West to northwest winds of 6 to 12 mph prevailed with gusts near 18 mph. Drier and warmer conditions are expected on Thursday. Humidity is expected to drop into the lower teens to lower 20s with high temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to lowers 80s. Winds are expected to remain from the west to northwest at 6 to 12 mph with gusts near 18 mph |
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