FIRE UPDATE
Bannack Fire
July 24, 2019, 10:30 a.m.
Detected: July 23, 2019, 2:40 p.m.
Cause: Lightning
Current Size: 151 Acres
Containment: 0%
Resources on Fire: Approximately 60 personnel including: 3 Engines; 2 Helicopters; Helena Hotshots and one 8 Person hand crew, a type 2 Initial Attack Crew is on order
Responding Agencies: MT DNRC, BLM, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and Local Volunteer Fire Departments
Location: Approximately one mile south of Bannack
Firefighters continue to work on a lightning caused fire located south of the historic town of Bannack. The lighting caused fire is burning in grass, sagebrush and timber. Today, firefighters are working to establish a containment line along the northern edge to keep the fire from advancing. Crews will also be monitoring and mopping up hot spots within the perimeter of the fire.
Weather: A cold front will be pushing through the region today causing temperatures to cool around 10 degrees compared to yesterday. A few showers will move over northwest Montana this morning. The biggest concern about the front will be the gusty westerly winds. A low amplitude ridge builds over the region for Thursday and Friday causing a warming trend. Then another dry cold front is expected on Saturday.
Prevention: As conditions continue to warm and fuels dry, people are reminded to be careful with all fires; be sure to extinguish campfires completely and to keep motorized vehicles on roads and trails.