Willow Creek Fire

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Today firefighters worked to secure the fire’s perimeter and begin mop-up operations with the goal of completing 2-chains (132 feet in from the fires edge) by end of shift today. Mop-up is when hand crews grid the burned area looking for hot spots and extinguishing any they find. One hand crew and a few engines will remain to continue mop up operations tomorrow; most of the engines will demobilize. 
 
The fire was first reported to Dillon Dispatch Wednesday at 3:37 PM. Local, state and federal firefighters responded quickly including fire departments from Gallatin, Broadwater and Jefferson County. The fire is located 6 miles southwest of Three Forks, west of Hwy 287 and north of Hwy 2. The Lewis & Clark Cavern entrance is located on Hwy 2. The Willow Creek Fire burned in grass, brush, and timber. Areas of the fire are very steep and inaccessible by fire engines. Four helicopters dropped water on the fire's forward progress to reduce its spread during the first day. Fire resources worked through the evening.

Yesterday the fire held through the high winds and there was no growth to the fire. The DNRC County Assist Team was in-briefed by local and state authorities. Incident Commander, David Hamilton and Patrick Lonergan (trainee) assumed management of the fire Wednesday at 12:00 pm. Firefighters took all measures to ensure their safety as the erratic high winds kept them on heightened alert.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has reported the fire’s cause is human. Law enforcement contacted residents along Milligan Canyon Road Wednesday providing them with a pre-evacuation notice. Approximately 54 structures are in the fire area. Yesterday the fire held through the high winds and there was no growth to the fire. The DNRC County Assist Team was in-briefed by local and state authorities. Incident Commander, David Hamilton and Patrick Lonergan (trainee) assumed management of the fire Wednesday at 12:00 pm. Firefighters took all measures to ensure their safety as the erratic high winds kept them on heightened alert.

Incident Objectives: 1) Aggressively and quickly suppress the fire to minimize impact to private property while providing for firefighter and public safety. 2) Maintain ongoing active engagement with affected landowners and community. 3) Ensure close coordination with agency administrators and cooperating agencies through frequent two-way dialog.