Single Incident Information

10SEPT22-Fire personnel took advantage of favorable weather conditions on 9/9 and 9/10 to proactively burn approximately 20 acres to increase the probability of keeping the fire in the Middle Fork of Warm Springs drainage.  This last week the entire fire area had been under very high temperatures, with very low relative humidity combined with days of strong winds.  While the fire did not grow much during that very warm and dry weather, the growth that did occur happened in a key location in the bottom of the Middle Fork drainage.  The fire moved into a position where uphill fire spread combined with upslope winds, could potentially send embers across the Gravelly Range Road (the eastern containment feature) and start spot-fires.  The weather conditions during the burning on 9/9 and 9/10 were much cooler with higher relative humidity, and had winds that pushed embers and smoke back into the already burned area and away from any containment features or values at risk. The fire remains approximately one mile east of a Management Action Point (MAP) which could trigger ordering additional resources.  Since the start this fire 57 days ago it has moved approximately ¼ mile to the west towards the MAP.

The Area Closure Order has been rescinded so all roads and trails are currently open.  The fire continues to smolder, produce smoke, and may possibly still grow on warm, windy days. This will continue until a season-ending rain/snow event occurs.  Recreationists in the area need to be aware of this especially if venturing off the roads or trails and going by foot or horseback into the eastern end of the Middle Fork of Warm Springs drainage.

 The fire is approximately 1150 acres with completion percentage at 70%. An infra-red mapping mission will occur Monday night to capture an updated acreage. Smoke was visible from the Madison Valley both days and may continue to be for the next couple days. Fire personnel may continue with proactive firing operations Sunday and Monday if weather conditions and/or main fire location warrant it.

 The Clover Fire started on July 13, 2022 as a result of a lightning strike and is located in the Middle Fork of Warm Springs Creek on the Madison Ranger District, Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest. The fire is being managed under a confine/contain strategy due to values at risk, the probability of success, and fuel conditions.  The objective is to contain the fire in the Middle Fork Warm Springs Creek drainage utilizing road and trail systems, fuel type changes, natural openings, and burnout operations.  Fire personnel have completed all repair work able to be done without compromising any containment features. This includes collecting and piling unburned/trimmed limbs near containment lines which will be burned once a season-ending weather event (rain/snow) has arrived.