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:   2,399 Acres

Completion/Containment:  0 percent

Resources assigned: 610 people

KEY MESSAGE

• A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for gusty winds and low relative humidity. 

Current Status

On the northern boundary, firefighters built direct handline west from the existing dozer line. Hot spots were cooled with support from helicopter buckets. A crew held and improved established hand and dozer line to the east. Portions of the northwestern side of the fire continue to hold heat. Today’s weather will test the fireline.

On the east side, secondary dozer line was constructed. Crews have made excellent progress mopping up after burnout along the existing dozer line. They will continue cleaning and mopping up the control line today. 

On the south edge, hotshot crews burned out to tie spot fires into the main fire on the 739 road system. Roads were plumbed with water handling equipment to assist firefighters in holding the new edge on the south. Further south, secondary handline was completed yesterday, and firefighters will continue to construct and improve primary and secondary control lines using heavy equipment and hand crews, stitching together new line with existing roads.

Significant fire growth occurred on the west side of the fire due to warm temperatures and low relative humidity last night. 

Structure protection resources are staging in nearby neighborhoods during the day to respond to fire activity. Night shift resources will work on the southern, eastern and northern edges and patrol affected neighborhoods. They also have initial attack responsibilities. Aviation resources will check fire spread and support firefighters today as conditions allow. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

A red flag warning is in place for critical fire weather conditions from noon to 10 pm.  Winds are expected to be west- southwest at 16 mph and gusts to 45 mph with the passing cold front. The front is expected between 3 and 5 pm. Thunderstorms are possible. Increased fire behavior is expected, with spotting up to one mile. 

SMOKE

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

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES 

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has updated 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.