Gold Creek Fire Up to 170 Acres
By angelamontana

Posted: July 17, 2013

The following information was posted today (7.17.13), approximately two hours ago, by the Missoula County Sheriff’s Department via InciWeb regarding the Gold Creek fire (cover photo via inciweb.org):

(kpax.com)

(kpax.com)

Incident Overview

Fact Sheet:

9:30 am

Gold Creek Fire

July 17, 2013

Start date: Identified July 15 Contact: Mariah Leuschen, Jack Conner, Heather Noel

Phone: 406 548-1174, 406-698-0501, 406-370-7370

Limited cell coverage at ICP, direct landlines being established

Cause: Anticipated Lightning Holdover

Location: 17 miles northeast of Missoula, MT, closure map attached.

Current Size: Approximately 160 acres Containment: 0%

Resources Assigned: Two Type I Handcrews, One Fire Use Module, 2 Air Attacks, 1 Type III Helicopter incoming, 3 additional helicopters ordered. 4 additional handcrews requested.

Closures: Gold Creek Area Closure – Gold Creek Trailhead and West Fork Gold Creek Trailhead will be closed. The area closure extends to all areas west of Gold Creek Road, north of Trail #52 (Prim Lake Trail) and east of the Main Rattlesnake Recreation Corridor. Trail #504 (Porcupine Ridge Trail) is closed. Trail #52 and trails south of the Rattlesnake vicinity are open. The closure also borders Trail #515 accessing the Headwaters of Rattlesnake Creek, this trail is open.

Current Status: A Type II Incident Management Team under the command of Stan Benes took control of the fire at 6:00 a.m. July 17. On Tuesday isolated torching was observed. The fire is burning in heavy timber. Due to fire activity, the lack of safety zones for firefighters and the remote terrain, aerial fire resources have been patrolling the fire. Today incoming fire personnel will access the fire establishing safety zones, anchor points

Planned Actions: Crews will access the fire establishing safety zones, anchor points and cutting hazardous trees to begin direct suppression of the fire where possible. Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics will be utilized in the Rattlesnake Wilderness. The northeastern flank of the fire is spotty and crews will work to establish anchor points. One Fire Use Module will conduct structure protection on the Gold Creek Cabin. Spike Camps are being considered due to the remote nature of this fire.

Weather: Wet thunderstorms are expected in the fire vicinity today. Relative humidity will be higher at 20-30% valleys, 30-40% over the fire. South/southwest wind is expected today at 4-8 mph and erratic winds around thunderstorm cells. Thursday will return to mostly sunny with a hot and dry trend continuing into the weekend, temperatures reaching upper 90’s.

Cooperating Agencies: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana DNRC, Lolo National Forest.

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Likely Lightning Holdover
Date of Origin Monday July 15th, 2013 approx.   05:30 PM
Location 17 miles northeast of Missoula
Incident Commander Stan Benes

Current Situation

Size 160 acres
Fuels Involved Heavy timber
Fire Behavior Active

Current Weather

Wind Conditions 4-8 mph
Humidity 30-40%
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