Wildland Fires on Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
Detected: July 14, 2017, at 8:30 a.m.
Cause: Lightning
Location:
Whetstone Ridge: Latitude 46 ˚2.933 Longitude 113˚38.800
Meyers: Latitude 45˚59.901 Longitude 113˚34.592
Current Size: Whetstone Fire 371 acres and Meyers Fire 79 acres
Containment: 0%
Resources on Fire: 3 Handcrews (Lewis & Clark Hotshots, Bitterroot Hotshots, GFP Contract Crew & and Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF Crew), 2 Helicopters, and misc. overhead
Resources Ordered: 1 Heavy Helicopter, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack Crew, and miscellaneous overhead.
Location: Approximately 20 miles southwest of Philipsburg, MT
Narrative: Neither fire grew much yesterday and put up very little smoke due to the moisture from a few days ago. The forecast is for continued hot and dry conditions with variable winds for the next several days. The main concern for firefighters is dealing with all of the snags on both Whetstone Ridge and Meyer Fires. Our priority with these fires, and all fires, is for public and firefighter safety.
On the Meyers Fire crews are working to tie a fireline into several rock screes that are in the area. Today bucket drops were utilized where appropriate. The dozer continues to improve a road which will help make the fire more accessible.
For the Whetstone Ridge Fire, crews are improving trails and working to tie the trails into old burned areas from previous years. Water bucket drops were also used on the Whetstone Ridge Fire where and when needed.
An area closure has been established for the Whetstone Ridge Fire for FS Roads 8671, 5110, 5107 and 5112. The following trails are also closed: 8020 (Whetstone Ridge) and 8109.
The temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been enlarged significantly to encompass the area for both fire. For more information on the TFR go to http://tfr.faa.gov/. Please respect the airspace and do not fly drones in this area.
For more information about this fire and other fires across the country, go online to http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.