While Other Montana Fires Calm, Black Cat Fire Runs at only 30% containment

by Kati Garner | August 16, 2007 at 07:40 pm

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While Other Montana Fires Calm, Black Cat Fire Runs

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uploaded by Kati Garner

Source | Incident Information System

Summary

Evacuations on east side of fire:

This
afternoon, gusty winds caused the Black Cat fire to move northeast
towards Evaro. As a precaution a mandatory evacuation has been issued.
The evacuation area includes all property accessed off of Highway 93 on
both sides of the highway from mile post 5.5 (previous evacuation area)
to mile post 10 (Joe's Smoke Ring). Some roads included in the area are
Mercer Road, Evaro Road, and Beargrass Mountain Road and all property
accessed from these roads.

Current Status of Highway 93:

The
public is advised that due to the fire activity adjacent to Highway 93,
the highway may be intermittently closed throughout the day and delays
should be expected.

Mill Creek Area Status:

At
8:00 p.m an evacuation was lifted for the southern portion of Lower
Mill Creek Road. Residents will be allowed to re-enter the area north
of the Frenchtown Frontage Road to mile marker two, including Spring
Hill Road. The area north of and including the Mill Creek stables and
Mill Creek bridge will remain closed.

Residents need to remain
ready to re-evacuate within one hour if necessary. It is safe to
return, however conditions are subject to change and an evacuation
could be reinstated.

Evacuation Shelters:

The
Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at DeSmet School, 6355 Padre
Lane in Missoula. The shelter phone number is 406-217-1270. The shelter
is open to all evacuees of the Black Cat Fire and is providing cots,
bedding, water and snacks to evacuees. Meals will be provided if
needed.

A second shelter has been established on the north end
of the closure at the Arlee Community Center at 248 Powwow Road on the
east side of Highway 93.

Basic Information

Incident Type
Wildland Fire

Cause
Lightning

Date of Origin
08/14/2007 at 1420 hrs.

Location
5 miles northeast of Frenchtown, Montana

Incident Commander
Kim Martin

Current Situation

Total Personnel
485

Size
11,515 acres

Percent Contained
30%

Estimated Containment Date
09/15/2007 at hrs.

Fuels Involved

Litter and understory.

Fire Behavior

Creeping and isolated torching.

Significant Events

The
fire received light rain (up to one-fourth inch) today. Burnout
operations were conducted along Highway 93 in Division E until rain
curtailed operations. The fire remains west of Highway 93. Line
construction along the northwest flank continued with good progress
toward meeting the strategic plan to protect values at risk to the
north and northwest.

Outlook

Planned Actions

Concentrate
resources to protect Evaro and associated structures, Highway 93,
communication sites, and tribal lands. Continue line construction and
preparation for line securing to the northwest from Highway 93. Begin
line construction from Mill Creek to the northeast toward Charity Peak.

Projected Movement

12 hours: North; Northeast & east

24 hours: North; Northeast & east

48 hours: North; Northeast & east

72 hours: North; Northeast & east

Growth Potential

High

Terrain Difficulty

High

Containment Target

With
the addition of critical resources to date (5 Type 1 crews, mid-level
management), the chosen management strategy will succeed in about 3-4
days.

Remarks

The
Population Protection Plan has been developed for areas east and west
of Highway 93. Due to the progression and direction of this fire, IR
flights are critical to obtaining current fire perimeter.

Weather

Current Wind Conditions
4 mph W

Current Temperature
62 degrees

Current Humidity
40 %