Single Publication

Northern Rockies Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens

Location: Three miles west of Stevensville, Montana in Ravalli County

Start Date: 8/23/2024

Cause: Lightning  

Size:   1,775 Acres

Completion/Containment:  0 percent

Resources assigned: 586 people

Current Status

On the northern boundary of the fire, firefighters cooled hot spots, held and improved established hand and dozer line, working to the east. These activities will continue today. Contingency plans are in place for the neighborhoods nearest the northeastern edge in the event spotting occurs from firing operations on the east perimeter. Portions of the northwestern side of the fire continue to hold heat. 

Burnout operations were completed on the east side Saturday, bringing the fire edge down to the dozer line. Crews will clean up and mop up the edges of the burnout along the east perimeter today. 

Several spots formed to the southwest during firing on the south edge, near the St. Mary’s Peak trailhead and in the Silverthorn drainage. Multiple Hotshot crews will work to address those spots. Additional firing operations will occur today if necessary to address the spots or secure the control line. Further south, firefighters will improve contingency lines along the Forest Service boundary.

Structure protection resources will patrol the neighborhoods during the day. Night shift resources will work on the southern and eastern edge and patrol affected neighborhoods. They also have initial attack responsibilities. Air operations were limited by the lingering smoke, which hindered visibility for pilots most of the day yesterday. Helicopters will support firefighters today as conditions allow. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

Temperatures will be in the lower 80s, with relative humidity in the mid-teens. Winds will remain light and upslope. Smoke is suppressing active fire behavior until the dispersion of the inversion. Flanking, backing and isolated small group torching can be expected, especially as fire reaches patches of subalpine fir in Silverthorn drainage. Further spotting is expected in stringers of subalpine fir.

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. Download the Ravalli Co. Sheriff’s Office app for information. Evacuation questions can be directed to the Ravalli County Emergency Operations Center at 406-375-6650. The Bitterroot National Forest has issued an area closure from North Fork Sweeney Creek to Sweathouse Creek. See https://tinyurl.com/Sharrottclosure for the order and map. There are temporary flight restrictions (TFR) over the fire area west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek.