Montana Firewatch Update September 4th

Burnout Along a Road Photo credit inciweb.wildfire.gov The Remington Fire started in Sheridan County, Wyoming, and quickly moved into multiple counties in SE Montana. The fire is impacting Sheridan County, Wyoming, Powder River, Big Horn, and Rosebud Counties in Montana. Other populations at risk from the fire include those in the southeastern portion of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation and the communities of Quietus, Otter, and Birney. The fire has burned into the Custer National Forest. Crews worked to secure containment lines and mop-up hot spots on the Remington Fire while heavy equipment conducted suppression repair. Heavy equipment operators repaired the fireline on the Wyoming side of the fire as well as along the southwestern perimeter. Bulldozers worked along the northwest portion of the fire, below Birney, MT, and hand crews secured the line where needed. As of September 3rd, the fire was 196,368 acres in size and was 86% contained. Marsh Creek Fire was reported on August 27th. The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest responded to the fire about 12 miles southeast of Lincoln near Marsh Creek. On the first day of the fire a helicopter, 2 engines, and local resources responded to the fire. As of September 2nd, this fire was estimated to be 88 acres with most of the growth on the eastern flank. Aviation was used to slow growth giving crews more time to reduce fuels around homes in the McQuithy Gulch and North Fork of the Prickly Pear drainage. Crews will continue doing work around homes and using aviation resources as needed to slow the growth of the fire. The McElwain Fire, located 10 miles west of Helmville in Powell County, is currently 116 acres in size and is 50% contained. The fire is burning in grass and timber on private and Bureau of Land Management land under Montana DNRC wildland fire protection. The fire is comprised of two adjacent fires, a north fire, and a south fire. Fire behavior includes creeping and smoldering with isolated torching. Control lines have been established, and resources are in place to manage the situation. The Sharrott Creek Fire was started by lightning and grew quickly during a wind event on August 23rd. The primary values at risk are the private properties along the edge of the Bitterroot National Forest on the east side of the fire. This is where firefighting resources will be focused. The western portion of the fire is burning in remote, rugged terrain with little to no access to firefighting resources. West of the fire lies the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Significant fire growth occurred on the west side of the fire, and it has crossed the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary. Structure protection resources are staged in nearby neighborhoods during the day to respond to fire activity. Night shift resources will work on the southern edge and patrol affected neighborhoods. They also have initial attack responsibilities. Aviation resources will check fire spread and support firefighters as smoke allows. As of September 3rd, this fire was 2,873 acres in size and 23% contained. Fire information was updated on September 3rd, according to https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ Please continue to check the Great Falls Gazette for updates as we strive to provide you with information throughout the fire season.

Montana Firewatch Update September 4th

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