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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

Trail Ridge/Thompson Creek Fires Update Sept. 11, 2022

Trail Ridge Fire
Publication Type: News 10/26/2022

 

Trail Ridge and Thompson Creek Fires

Start Dates: August 26, 2022 Cause: Lightning

 

Trail Ridge Fire Summary

Approx. 5 miles SE Sula, MT

Approx. 11 miles NW of Big Hole National Battlefield

 

Size: 13,790 acres Completion: 10%

Personnel: 163

 

Thompson Creek Fire Summary

Approx. 19 miles E Sula, MT

 Approx. 17 miles N Wisdom, MT

   

Size: 85 acres Containment: 100%

Personnel: 30

 

CURRENT STATUS

Trail Ridge-Yesterday crews were able construct indirect line from the Tolan Creek drainage to Mink Creek Road and continue road prep along Forest Service Road 106 on the north and west portion of the fire. Crews continue to assess and prepare supplies for hose installation around homes if the fire’s behavior changes.

The majority of the Trail Ridge Fire continues to burn at higher elevations near the Continental Divide and most of the fire’s growth was seen along the north and south flanks of the fire. On the north side, the fire has started to slowly back down the slope nearing Tolan Creek Drainage. One of the Management Strategy Action Points is identified at the bottom of the Tolan Creek Drainage and if fire would enter this area a back firing operation may be necessary from Mink Creek Road west toward Reimel Creek Road to help secure the fire perimeter along the constructed indirect line that crews have been constructing over the past week. A map depicting these Action Points will be available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8365/

Continuing forward if the fire does progress past the Tolan Creek Drainage and begins to threaten a breach along our indirect line paralleling the East Fork Road to the south the Sheriff’s Department along with Fire Managers would implement the ‘Warning’ stage of the Evacuation Plan. For more information on the Ravalli County Evacuation Plan visit the Ravalli County Sheriff’s website at https://ravalli.us/622/Evacuation-Guidelines or the Sheriff’s app.

Work being completed by Area

·       From Gibbons Pass southeast along Forest Service Road 106 to just West of Mussigbrod Lake: Crews continue to monitor fire progression and values along the Trail Creek Road, including Hogan Cabin. Plans are in place and ready to be activated if the fire is to move into an area that is favorable for firefighters to engage the fire safely. Movement of the fire is currently still active in the 2000 Mussigbrod Fire Burn Area and is anticipated to reach the 2007 Rat Creek Fire Burn Area and 2021 Trail Ridge Burn Area in the coming days. ·       From just West of Mussigbrod Lake and north toward the Meadow Creek area: Fire personnel continue to scout for best options on indirect line placement to connect the current piece of indirect line to the 2017 Myers Fire fuel break. As this plan becomes finalized crews will begin implementation as soon as possible today. ·       From the Meadow Creek area, through Tolan Creek drainage, along Trail Creek Road, to Gibbons Pass: Crews were able to complete another section of road prep along Forest Service Road 106 and professional falling teams continue to evaluate and remove hazard trees as needed to provide a safer working area for crews. Indirect Line was extended from the Tolan Creek Drainage to Mink Creek Road.  

Thompson Creek-Yesterday Thompson Creek was reported to be 100% contained and crews are continuing to work on suppression repair and removing equipment from the work site. Crews are anticipated to complete work in the coming days.

FIRE WEATHER AND BEHAVIOR

The weather for today and tomorrow will the warmest of the week until the high-pressure system starts to break down. Winds will remain moderate and favorable for fire conditions in the afternoon. The hotter drier weather will begin to cool down early this week with a chance of precipitation closer to the weekend.