Mount Morrell Lookout lit up by the burnout operations around it. You can see a headlight just below the lookout and left of the flames.
The ridgeline of Mount Morrell Lookout lit up by strategic firing operations that started Saturday night around 9 p.m.
The ridge behind Eagle Port lodge lit up with fire Saturday night. The stars are also visible.
Rice Ridge Fire Morning Update: Another community meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 21 at 6pm at the Seeley Lake Elementary School. Burnout operations last night were done around Mount Morrell Lookout to the corner of the dozer line. Thanks for the great photos, Mark Melvin...the lookout is still standing!
The Rice Ridge Fire grew about a 500 acres yesterday bringing it up to 15,357. It remains 10% contained. There are 505 Firefighters assigned to the fire: 7 crews, 31 engines, 4 helicopters, 2 dozers, 17 water tenders and overhead personnel.
YESTERDAY: The lake at Seeley Lake, Clearwater Canoe trail, and the Big Larch Boat Launch have been opened. Big Larch campground is still closed. Strategic firing operations were delayed until later in the evening after Red Flag conditions had been lifted for the day. Crews made good progress to the corner near Morrell Lookout when firing operations began shortly after 9:00 pm. There was very little fire growth to the east in the Cottonwood Creek drainage. Rocky terrain and an old burn scar coupled with cooler, cloudy weather significantly reduced fire growth. Bucket work was used to keep fire growth in check due to increased fire activity in the northern and western portions of the fire. Crews continued fuels reduction operations on public land north and east of the Double Arrow Ranch.
TODAY: Residents can expect to see fire conditions similar to yesterday overall with the exception of increased smoke from strategic firing operations being conducted near Morrell Lookout. Aircraft will be dropping retardant and water to assist firefighting operations and will be concentrating bucket work on the west side to keep fire growth in check as it slowly but steadily backs downhill. Recreationists are strongly urged to keep clear of ongoing helicopter bucket operations on Seeley Lake. Due to safety concerns, the lake could be closed once again if public fails to cooperate. Crews along the western and northern portions of the fire will continue to monitor fire activity. Additionally, fire crews will be maintaining hose lays and pumps to support suppression efforts along the indirect line to the south and southwest. Fuels reduction on the north and east side of the Double Arrow Ranch will continue.
Breezy and cooler conditions are expected today as a broad west to northwest flow aloft develops. Temperatures will be 78-83 with winds from the west at 2-4 mph early morning then becoming more southwest by 12:00 pm with gusts to 15 mph. Humidity will be 15-25%, and increase from yesterday with partly cloudy skies. The fire will be less active due to cooler temperatures, cloud cover and lower humidity.
Fire information booths will be staffed at the Valley Market, Seeley Airport, and Rovero's Hardware Store on Highway 83 from 11am to 6pm.
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. Highway Patrol will be enforcing speed limits to ensure safety.
CLOSURES: The closure order in effect for the areas surrounding the Rice Ridge Fire has been expanded to the East to include the Lodge Pole and Monture Creek trails. A map and copies of the official closure orders are posted on Inciweb. Big Larch campground is still closed.
A temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place. Be advised, this restriction also applies to Drones. For more information: http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_9440.html
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