The Rice Ridge Fire taken from the Seeley Lake Airport prior to the thunderstorm that came through last night.
The Rice Ridge Fire taken from the Seeley Lake Airport prior to the thunderstorm that came through last night.
Rice Ridge Fire Morning Update: As a reminder, the evacuation warning issued within areas of Seeley Lake (including Double Arrow Ranch), remains in effect and residents are urged to be prepared. Residents adjacent to these areas should remain vigilant. Highway 83 is still open and businesses in Seeley Lake are open.
Stage II Fire Restrictions are in place.
Crews, engines, and heavy equipment use public roads traveling to and from their daily assignments. Residents are urged to slow down and be aware while driving through the area to ensure everyone's safety.
The fire remained at 10,194 acres and 10% is contained. 543 Firefighters: 10 crews, 35 engines, 3 helicopters, 2 dozers, 17 water tenders and overhead personnel are assigned to the fire.
SUMMARY: Last night's community meeting was attended by approximately 250 people. It can be viewed as a video on the Lolo National Forest Facebook page for those who missed it.
Yesterday: Firefighters had a productive day building and reinforcing containment lines on the south and west flanks. With the southeast flank being the highest priority, crews worked on an indirect line from Morrell Mountain Lookout down a ridge to Cottonwood Lakes Road and removed brush from the road southward to North Fork Cottonwood Creek. Helicopters dropped retardant in the Swamp Creek area to keep the fire from spreading southward. Heavy equipment was utilized to build a containment line that will connect West Morrell Road (FR-4353) northward to the 2015 Morrell Complex burn scar. Scooper planes and fire bosses held the west flank in check in the Rice Creek area. The fire burned actively in the east, away from town toward the Bob Marshall Wilderness in remote, inaccessible terrain.
Today Firefighters will progress with line construction and road brushing along Cottonwood Lakes Road. Fire managers will assess the viability of using another ridge that extends from Morrell Mountain Lookout north toward the Wilderness as a control line to stop the southeast progress of the fire. Heavy equipment will continue building a containment line along the west flank, with work finishing in approximately four more days. Two helicopters and several airplanes will be available to drop water and retardant, as needed.
For the Seeley Lake area, expect continued heavy smoke conditions reaching Hazardous levels this morning and tonight. Active children and adults, and anyone with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion.
Fire information booths will be staffed at the Valley Market and Rovero's Hardware Store on Highway 83 from 11am to 6pm.
Residents of the area should sign up for Smart911 at http://www.smart911.com to ensure they receive any emergency messages about potential evacuations.
Temps will be near 90 today with relative humidity in the teens. Winds will be light and variable. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon into the evening. Last night's rain was minimal and did not have a major effect on fire activity today. Similar to yesterday, the fire will be producing multiple smoke columns and more visible throughout the area.
In the event of an evacuation, the American Red Cross will open a shelter. It is located at the Potomac Community Center, 29827 Potomac Rd., in Potomac. The shelter is on standby, anyone seeking to pre-evacuate that requires assistance or sheltering may call the Red Cross of Montana at 1-800-272-6668. Evacuees are urged to call before leaving for the shelter, as cell phone service is limited at the shelter. More info at http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.
CLOSURES: A closure order is still in effect for the areas surrounding the Rice Ridge Fire. A map and copies of the official closure orders are available on Inciweb. Seeley Lake, the body of water, is still closed to all recreation activities due to aircraft scooping water and will be in effect through the weekend.
The temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire remains in effect. This restriction applies to drones as well. For more information: http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_5270.html
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