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Closure order for Sharrott Creek Fire
03 September 2024 Sharrott Creek Fire Information
The Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens, assumed command of the fire at 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 27.
The fire was started by lightning and grew quickly during a wind event on August 23.
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 for firefighting resources. West of the fire lies the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness.
| Current as of | Tue, 09/03/2024 - 11:13 |
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| Incident Time Zone | America/Boise |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | Three miles west of Stevensville, Montana |
| Incident Commander | Mike Behrens Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3 |
| Incident Description | Sharrott Creek Fire is a wildfire burning on the steep slopes of the Bitterroot Face three miles west of Stevensville, Montana. |
| Coordinates |
46° 30' 31'' Latitude
-114° 11' 04
'' Longitude
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| Total Personnel: | 626 |
|---|---|
| Size | 2,399 Acres |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (Litter and Understory) Narrative: |
| Significant Events | Active Short Crown Runs Flanking Group Torching
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| Planned Actions |
Continue construction and improvement of primary and secondary control lines using heavy equipment and crews on south and southeast flanks. Scout and construct lines on the southeast to encompass spot fires in the 739 road system and burnout as weather and fuel conditions allow. Continue to hold and mop up control line on northeast and east flanks. Use aviation resources to check fire's spread and support burnout operations. Implement structure protection measures on residences in the fire area. |
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| Projected Incident Activity |
12 hours: Strong thermal belts expected again overnight which will extend the burn period until after midnight. RH recoveries should be around 30% with overnight temps at mid elevations near 60. South flank of fire will likely remain active with potential for spread by torching and flanking and flanking runs due to rollout. 24 hours: Red Flag Warning for winds and low RHs with passing cold front. SW-W cold front winds expected with gusts up to 25 mph. This will likely be an active fire day with dry conditions from the previous several nights of low RHs. Heat on the south side of the fire will be susceptible to the winds and will likely spread. Where fire has reached subalpine fir pockets a torching and spotting cycle will lead to further growth. Focus will be on the south and southeast flanks of fire, but additional spread is possible up higher on the west and north flanks in the old burn scar where heat pockets will be susceptible to winds and some torching and spotting as fire encounters stringers of taller timber. Chance of T-storms in the afternoon could also bring outflow winds to the fire area. 48 hours: A cooler and moister pattern is expected with a chance for rain and min RHs should be around 30%. Fire activity should settle down but pockets of heat will remain that will still be able to torch in the sub-alpine fir is possible. Flanking and backing will be possible until enough rain arrives to tamp down spread potentail under the canopy. NW winds up to 18 are expected as the front exits the area but the higher RHs and potential for rain will limit potentail for significant spread. |
| Weather Concerns | A Red Flag Warning is in effect for today for gusty winds and low relative humidity from a cold front that will pass over the fire. Thunderstorms will also be possible as this front passes by Monday afternoon. Much more unstable air moved over the fire today allowing better ventilation during the afternoon. The day remained hot and dry with temperatures again running about 10 degrees above average with relative humidity readings in the teens. One more night of thermal belt development is expected before the approaching cold front brings cooler and more moist air into the forecast. |
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