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Trail Ridge Fire

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Unit Information

420 Barrett St 
Dillon, 
59725 
420 Barrett St 
Dillon, 
59725 

Incident Contacts

Catherine McRae
Email: catherine.mcrae@usda.gov
Phone: 4069253353
Hours: M-F 8-7, S/S 9-5
Arlee Staley
Email: frances.staley@usda.gov
Phone: 406-490-1818
Hours: M-F 8-6
Wisdom Ranger District
Phone: 4066893243
Hours: M-F 8-4:30
Darby Ranger District
Phone: 4068213913
Hours: M-F 8-4:30
Catherine McRae
Email: catherine.mcrae@usda.gov
Phone: 4069255353
Hours: M-F 8-7 S/S 9-5

 

 

INCIDENT COMMANDER: Cache Gibbons

October 25, 2022

Trail Ridge Fire

Fire Summary

Approx. 5 miles SE Sula, MT

Approx. 11 miles NW of Big Hole National Battlefield

Size: 18,138 acres Completion: 80%

Personnel: 37

 

 

 

 


CURRENT STATUS

The Trail Ridge Fire is burning on the Wisdom District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Darby-Sula District of the Bitterroot National Forest.  A Type 4 team assumed command of the fire October 19, 2022.  The incoming Incident Commander is Cache Gibbons with Incident Commander (t) Cody Hoover.  Both are from Bitterroot National Forest, Darby Ranger District.

 

Currently the fire is 18,138 acres.  On Saturday, October 22, the fire received a wetting rain with snow starting around 3,800 feet.  This moisture has considerately dampened fire activity.  With more moisture expected over the fire in the coming days the fire will likely continue to smolder and put up very little smoke.  Today fire officials will reassess conditions and begin repair work where needed.

 

The main objective for this fire continues to be firefighter and public safety.  Other primary objectives include keeping the fire    from impacting private lands and values along Highway 93 and East Fork of the Bitterroot corridors utilizing point protection and indirect lines where needed. Suppression repair work will continue if needed.

 

 

FIRE WEATHER AND BEHAVIOR
Today will be mostly sunny with a chance of a rain snow mix this afternoon. Highs will be in the 40’s with winds south southeast 5-10 mph.  Gusts could be as high as 21 mph.  Tonight will have a low of around 21, with winds gusts as high as 21 mph.  Chance of precipitation will be 90%. Moisture will continue throughout this week. 

 

TRAIL RIDGE CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Trail Ridge Closure has been rescinded effective October 24, 2023

 

 

This will be the last update for the Trail Ridge Fire.  If you want information, please call the Darby RD or the Wisdom RD.

 

  Information:  Darby RD                                                                                                  Bitterroot National Forest 406.821.3913 Wisdom RD                                                                                             Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest 406.689.3242

Basic Information
Current as of Tue, 10/31/2023 - 12:04
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin
Location 22 miles NW of Wisdom MT
Incident Commander IC Cache Gibbons, IC(t) Cody Hoover
Coordinates 45° 46' 48'' Latitude
-113° 52'
1
'' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: 37
Size 18,138 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 80%
Estimated Containment Date 2022-11-15 00:00:00
Fuels Involved

Heavy Logging Slash
Brush (2 feet)
Timber (Litter and Understory)

Significant Events

Minimal smoldering and creeping with some single tree torching.

Outlook
Projected Incident Activity

Smoke may be seen around the fire area if the weather warms and dries.

Remarks

Using an Operational Objective Weighted Matrix to report completion percentage. The operational objectives (and their % of total planned operations) consist of: Point protection (20%), Indirect line
(40%), Burning operations (20%), Confine/contain (5%), Monitor (5%), and Suppression Repair (10%).

Current Weather
Weather Concerns

Today will be mostly sunny, warm, and dry. Highs will reach 62-27 with minimum humidity 15-20%. Winds will be out of the south 5-7 mph shifting to the west 7-13 mph with gusts around 25 mph this afternoon.