Single Publication

Gravel Pit Fire Daily Update

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Northwest Land Office

WESTERN MONTANA ALL HAZARDS IMT    │    INCIDENT COMMANDER: KEN PARKS                                          

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtmts-gravel-pit-fire

2023.gravelpit@firenet.gov      (406) 247-0514

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.

Location: 25 miles southeast of Libby, near Silver Butte

Start Date: 8/1/23                   Cause: Human            Size: 304 acres                 Containment: 72%

Total Personnel: 80                Engines: 7                  Tenders: 1                   Hand Crews: 2

SPECIAL WEATHER MESSAGE

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon on Tuesday through midnight on Thursday in much of northwest Montana, including the fire area, with valley temperatures of 105°F possible.

CURRENT STATUS

Yesterday to the west, crews continued to mop-up and extinguish hot spots. Flare-ups, including burning brush and stumps, occurred within the fire perimeter in pockets of unburned flammable materials. Crews also continued to backhaul hose that is no longer needed. Additionally, crews continued to support fire suppression actions on two new fire starts from Sunday, one to the north and one to the south of the Gravel Pit Fire.

PLANNED ACTIONS

Crews that responded to the new fire start to the north of the Gravel Pit Fire on Sunday returned today and will continue with mop-up activities on the Gravel Pit Fire. The crew responding to the fire start to the south of the Gravel Pit Fire will continue suppressing that fire. On the Gravel Pit Fire, crews will continue to backhaul hose on lower and middle elevations and leave hose in place in the upper elevations where smoldering stumps and other combustible materials are continuing to flare-up. Crews will maintain readiness for initial attack and respond to new fire starts in the area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

High pressure, resulting in hot, dry conditions will persist through Thursday. Afternoon temperatures will be near record highs this week and overnight relative humidity recovery will be poor.

Fire behavior is low, with smoldering and creeping, but the potential exists for more active fire behavior with the hot, dry weather pattern over the next three days.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES

Effective 8/14/2023, the evacuation warning in place for residents near the fire area along the Highway 2 corridor has been lifted. All Lincoln County residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by downloading the Code Red application and entering contact information. Code Red is the primary notification system to alert residents of evacuations.