FACT SHEET
Wildfires & Fire Restrictions
August 13, 2012 2:30 PM
Contact: Public Affairs Officer: Tod McKay
Phone: 406-363-7122
Cell: 406-531-1130
What: Fire restrictions and 12 wildland fires
Location: Bitterroot National Forest
Summary: With today’s National Weather Service warning of increased fire danger due to breezy winds and this weekend’s discovery of several abandoned campfires, the Bitterroot National Forest is implementing Stage 1 Fire Restrictions effective this Saturday, August 18, 2012 beginning at 12:01 a.m.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire, and smoking, unless within an enclosed vehicle or building. Campfires will be allowed only within a designated campground or recreation site which contains a Forest-provided fire ring. Campfires will not be permitted at sites on the Bitterroot National Forest that do not have a Forest-provided fire ring. The restrictions do not apply to designated wilderness areas.
Over the weekend, firefighters discovered and extinguished three abandoned campfires on the national forest. Two of the fires were left burning in fire rings at camp areas on the Darby and Stevensville Ranger Districts. Today, fire crews are busy responding to 12 lightning caused fires from last week’s strong thunderstorms (510 confirmed lightning strikes). See below for a list of current fires on the Bitterroot National Forest. There are no structures threatened and no roads or trail closures at this time.
FIRE
LOCATION
SIZE
RESPONSE
Maverick
Stevensville RD – 4 miles S. of Willow Mountain
5 acres
15 firefighters on scene. Helicopter using buckets to drop water on fire.
Bear Overlook
Stevensville RD – near end of Bear Creek Overlook Trail # 126
.10 acre
2 firefighters on scene.
Fitz Creek
West Fork RD – near Paradise campground in Selway-Bitterroot (SB) Wilderness
30 acres
35 firefighters on scene. Helicopter using buckets to drop water on fire.
Lost Horse
Steep Hill
Darby RD – Between Lost Horse/Lick Creek
West Fork RD – 5 miles E. of Hells Half Lookout in S-B Wilderness
2 acres
2 acres
5 firefighters, 2 helicopters, engine
16 firefighters on scene.
Salamander
West Fork RD – 2 miles N. of Salmon Base Camp in S-B Wilderness
450 acres
Point protection strategy. Fire is currently not staffed and not threatening any values. Being monitored by lookout, air and road patrols.
Indian Ridge
West Fork RD – 2 miles W. of Indian Creek campground in S-B Wilderness
30 acres
Point protection strategy. Fire is currently not staffed and not threatening any values. Being monitored by air patrol.
Green Mountain
West Fork RD – 1 mile N. of Indian Ridge fire in S-B Wilderness
10 acres
Point protection strategy. Fire is currently not staffed and not threatening any values. Being monitored by air patrol.
Burnt Strip
West Fork RD – 2 miles E. of Green Mountain fire in S-B Wilderness
30 acres
Point protection strategy. Fire is currently not staffed and not threatening any values. Being monitored by air patrol.
Watchtower Lake
West Fork RD – 2 miles N. of Watchtower Lake in S-B Wilderness
10 acres
Point protection strategy. Fire is currently not staffed and not threatening any values. Being monitored by air patrol.
Cabin Spring
West Fork RD – 7 miles SW of Salmon Mountain Lookout in S-B Wilderness
5 acres
Point protection strategy. Fire is currently not staffed and not threatening any values. Being monitored by air patrol.
Hamilton Ridge
West Fork RD – 3.5 miles W. of Salmon Mountain Lookout in S-B Wilderness
.10 acre
Fire is currently not staffed and not threatening any values. Monitored by air patrol.