Single Publication

Video Update: https://fb.watch/ugnnywehL8/ 

Northern Rockies Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens

Location:  One mile west of Stevensville, Montana in Ravalli County

Start Date: 8/23/2024

Cause: Lightning  

Size:   1,304 Acres

Completion/Containment:  0 percent

Resources assigned: 475 people

KEY MESSAGES

• We encourage non-fire personnel to stay out of the evacuated neighborhoods so that firefighters can safely do their jobs without interference. 

Current Status

Yesterday, fire managers assessed the situation along the eastern perimeter after Tuesday night’s prolonged severe wind event. Crews sought out and lined spot fires north of the main fire. Air resources were very busy yesterday checking the fire’s spread into the Silverthorne drainage by dropping buckets of water. The Salmon River Hotshot crew and bulldozers built direct line along the northern perimeter of the fire just south of Larson Creek towards Kootenai Creek. Smith River and Helena Hotshots built handline from the southeast corner down to the dozer line located east of the fire perimeter. Handline was constructed down to Silverthorne Creek. Firefighters will plumb the dozer line on the east side of the fire in preparation for firing operations when the conditions are conducive for burnout. Structure protection actions for the residences nearest the eastern edge of the fire are underway, with the installation of water pumps and hoses. 

Crews will continue to hold the eastern edge and patrol the affected neighborhoods during night shifts. 

There are temporary flight restrictions (TFR) over the fire area west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

High pressure will return to the area with temperatures in the low 70s on the Bitterroot Face and 80s on the valley bottom. Relative humidity will be 19-24%. Gentle upslope winds are expected at 4-8 mph. Fire behavior today will be dominated by flanking, backing and isolated small group torching. Short uphill runs can be expected with rollout of burning debris. 

Smoke

For the current smoke reports, visit https://www.airnow.gov/  

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES 

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders and warnings for neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Sharrott Creek Fire. For the latest status and an evacuation map, visit the Ravalli Co. Sheriff’s Office website: https://ravalli.us  A Red Cross evacuation shelter is still available at the LDS Church in Stevensville at 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road. Evacuation questions can be directed to the Ravalli County Emergency Operations Center at 406-375-6650. 

For the safety of firefighting pilots, do not fly unmanned aerial systems (drones) in the fire area.