Rice Ridge Fire Tuesday Morning Update

Rice Ridge Fire Morning Update: There will be a community meeting Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6pm at Seeley Lake Elementary.

The Rice Ridge Fire grew about 500 acres in the last two days. It is up to 11,754 acres and remains 10% contained. There are 549 Firefighters assigned to the fire: 9 crews, 35 engines, 6 helicopters, 2 dozers, 18 water tenders and overhead personnel.

YESTERDAY: Crews continued to use heavy equipment to construct indirect line on the northwest portion of the fire, working to connect with the 2015 Morrell Complex Fire burn scar. A helicopter was used to control fire spread on the south side of the swamp creek drainage.

TODAY: Aircraft will be used as needed and as weather allows to check fire growth. Crews will continue to use heavy equipment to construct indirect line on the northwest end of the fire, which is nearing completion. Fuels reduction work also continues around the northeast corner of the Double Arrow development. Fire managers are assessing where best to use strategic firing operations to remove fuel between the fire front and completed indirect fire line in the Morrell Mountain area. Additional crews will be arriving to assist with firing efforts. Successful firing operations require a specific set of conditions. Managers are monitoring weather and fire behavior as they change throughout the day and will use fire strategically as these conditions permit. If fire and weather conditions cooperate to allow for strategic firing, additional crews will be shifted for nighttime operations.

Today will be mostly clear with high temperatures in the upper 70's. Winds will be out of the northwest and will moderate throughout the day with isolated breezy conditions.

Fire activity is expected to be more active today than the last few days, due to lower humidity levels and higher temperatures.

Fire information booths will be staffed at the Valley Market and Rovero's Hardware Store on Highway 83 from 11am to 6pm.

Air Quality: Recent cooler temperatures and moisture have reduced smoke in the area. A forecasted increase in temperatures and lower relative humidity will lead to more active fire behavior and increased smoke. For current air quality information please visit inciweb.

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.

ADVISORIES: 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.

Residents of the area should sign up for Smart911 at http://www.smart911.com to ensure they receive any emergency messages about potential evacuations.

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.

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 likely be in effect through the weekend.

A temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place. This restriction applies to drones as well. For more information: http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_9440.html