Goat Rock Complex Wildfire Update – August 31, 2015
by Kootenai National Forest
August 31, 2015
Contact: Public Information Officer: Carmen Thomason, goatrocks2015@gmail.com
Fire Information Phone (406) 293-6783
What: Goat Rock Complex (numerous fires)
Cause: Lightning
Location: Numerous fires located in the Kootenai National Forest, Cabinet Mountains Wilderness and Berray Mountain Area south of Libby, Montana
Jurisdiction: Kootenai National Forest (KNF) Cabinet and Libby Ranger District
Pre-evacuation notices remain in effect for several residents and businesses located west of Highway 2 and immediately east of the Klatawa fire.
Residents are asked to remain vigilant and ready to evacuate in the coming days as warmer weather will increase fire activity. Pre-evacuation residents should have a plan in place to be evacuated if notified by the Sheriff's Office. Cooler weather has influenced fire behavior and lessened the threat of the Klatawa fire. Overall cooler conditions will transition slowly to warmer temperatures over the next week. High temperatures will not be as warm as previous days but will trend upwards as the region remains under the influence of a low pressure system.
A Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team assumed command of several fires on the Kootenai National Forest on August 23 and will manage them as the Goat Rock Complex under the command of Chuck Russell.
The Goat Rock Complex is approximately 6,744 acres and is a collection of the following fires:
Klatawa (KNF): 3,758 acres
Vimy (KNF): 47 acres
Berray Mtn. (KNF): 3,464 acres
Chippewa (KNF): 231 acres
Pine Ridge (KNF): 1 acre
Poplar Point (KNF): 742 acres
Dad (KNF): 44 acres
(Large increases in acreage numbers may be due to increased accessibility to air mapping and intelligence gathering as smoke in the area clears.)
Yesterday’s Activities: Precipitation occurred across the area during the afternoon and evening. Anywhere from 1/10 to 1/4 inch of rain fell. Cooler and wetter conditions have decreased fire behavior. Clear air allowed helicopters to make bucket drops on the east side of the Klatawa fire. Some moderate growth on the west side inside the wilderness area did occur.
The Berray Mtn. fire had some isolated tree torching and continued backing but also received precipitation.
Crews continued using equipment to build fire lines and other features around both the Klatawa and Berray Mtn. fires.
Today’s Planned Actions: Wildland Firefighters will continue building fuel breaks around both the Klatawa and Berray Mtn. Fires. Crews will be working in Granite Creek on the Klatawa fire and on the southern side of the Berray fire near the Highway 56 corridor.
Incident Command is continuing coordination with the local Sheriff’s Offices in Lincoln and Sanders counties and local fire districts to ensure structure protection plans are in place.
Forecasted Weather: A slight warming and drying trend will occur Monday and Tuesday. Windy conditions along the ridgetops are possible. Another system is expected to pass through the area on Wednesday bringing increased chances of showers and cooler temperatures.
Fire Restrictions:
Stage II fire restrictions are in effect for the Libby area. Stage II restrictions include:
1. Building maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
3. The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.:
a. Operating any internal combustion engine.
b. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
c. Using an explosive.
4. A one hour foot patrol in the work area is required following cessation of all activities as identified in #3 above.
5. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.
Additional information at http://firerestrictions.us/mt/.
Closures:
For more information on closures, including closed Forest Service Lands listed by Township and Range, please visit the Kootenai National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/kootenai/home or visit Goat Rock Complex on InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4564/ for a detailed list.
|
