Morning Update: The Rice Ridge Fire remains 122,843 acres because no infrared flight occurred over the fire last night. The fire is 5% contained and there are 801 fire personnel assigned to the fire. The cost is up to $35 million. Currently there are 1,719 structures threatened based on more accurate data from the Missoula and Powell County Sheriffs' offices. There is a RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FROM 2 pm TO 9 pm FOR WINDS 10-12 MPH, GUSTING OVER 20 MPH.
YESTERDAY: A spot fire ½ mile from the main fire north of Camp Creek in Section 21 caused problems on the northwest side of the fire yesterday afternoon, quickly growing to 20 acres. Two Hot Shot crews and engines worked on the spot which was still above Forest Road 720, but they had no air support yesterday due to heavy smoke over the fire. By nightfall, crews were still working on the spot fire and also picked up and contained a second spot fire below Forest Road 720. Mop up continued on a dozer line around two fingers of fire in the Findell Creek and Murphy Creek drainages. Firefighters started to set up sprinkler systems in two bog areas in the Morrell Creek drainage where spot fires have been a problem. Crews continued mop up on the fire line area directly east of the town of Seeley Lake and the Double Arrow Ranch. Two heavy equipment task forces completed a shaded fuel break on the Cottonwood Lakes Road (Forest Road 477) between Seeley Lake and the Monture Cabin. Mop up continued in the Monture Cabin area. Indirect fire line construction is now 2 ½ miles east of Monture Road (FS 89), with approximately 10 miles of line still to be completed. Structure protection remains in place around cabins in the Coopers Lake area. Structure protection was completed on the west side of Placid Lake related to the Liberty fire.
TODAY: The spot fire in Section 21 above Forest Road 720 will be a major focus today, especially with the increased winds associated with the red flag warning this afternoon. Securing this area where firefighters have had daily problems with spot fires across the fire line remains a high priority in protecting the town of Seeley Lake. Hotshot crews will continue working on the spot fire from yesterday. Work will continue on Forest Road 720 and other roads in the area to create a fire line tied into the 2015 Morrell Complex fire scar. Mop up will continue along the dozer lines constructed in the Findell Creek and Murphy Creek drainages. Firefighters will continue to install sprinkler systems in the bog areas in the Morrell Creek drainage. On the Cottonwood Lakes Road, firefighters will start removing logs and slash from the shaded fuel break to create defensible space along the fire line. Heavy Equipment task forces will continue indirect fire line and shaded fuel break construction east of Monture Road. Firefighters from Seeley Lake Ranger District will be flown in to wrap the Carmichael Cabin in the upper North Fork of the Blackfoot River near McDonnell Meadow northeast of the fire if weather and smoke conditions allow. Structure protection will begin on the north side of Placid Lake as a precautionary measure due to extremely dry fuels between Placid Lake and the Liberty fire.
Staffed Fire Information Locations: Seeley Lake at Cory's Valley Market (from 8 am to 8 pm) and at the Blackfoot Mercantile in Ovando (from 1 pm to 3 pm).
EVACUATIONS AND WARNINGS: Powell County evacuation order: includes the Monture Cabin area and the Coopers Lake area. Powell County evacuation warning: includes all other areas of Powell County north of Highway 200 between the Missoula County line on the west and the Lewis and Clark County line on the east. Powell County residents can download CodeRED to their mobile devices to receive critical information notifications, available through the Sheriff's website.
Missoula County evacuation orders and warnings: All Orders and Warnings in Missoula County remain in effect.
Missoula County residents can receive emergency notifications of critical alerts via their choice of text, phone and/or email by signing up for Smart911 at https://www.smart911.com/.
EVACUATION SHELTERS: Anyone seeking shelter may call the Red Cross of Montana at 1-800-272-6668. Seeley Lake: Camp Paxson at 4200 Boy Scout Road. Ovando: Ovando Elementary School Gymnasium at 108 Birch Street. Evacuation/Closure Information: Evacuations and road closures are based upon the need to provide for safety of the public and firefighters, current fire behavior, forecasted weather, and planned suppression operations. Fire officials, Missoula and Powell County Sheriff's Offices, and Montana Department of Transportation will evaluate the evacuation and road closures daily. The Incident Commander and the Missoula and Powell County Sheriffs appreciate your patience and will work hard to get you back into your homes as soon as it is safe to do so. Go to the Missoula County Sheriff's Facebook page or, in Powell County, call 406-396-1386 for the most current information.
FIREWISE: For information on how to improve the chances of your homes and structures surviving a wildfire, visit the Firewise website at http://www.Firewise.org. Drones and TFR: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for the Rice Ridge fire including "drones" or unmanned aerial vehicles. If drones are detected, air operations stop. If you see a drone in the fire area, including the evacuation areas, report it immediately to 406-813-0527. Your cooperation is needed to insure the safety of our pilots.
Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect for Missoula and Powell Counties and across the Lolo and Flathead National Forests with the exception of the Bob Marshall Wilderness which is in Stage 1. However, many areas in the wilderness are closed due to the fire. Additional information is on Inciweb and the Lolo and Flathead National Forest websites.
CLOSURES: Multiple closures related to Rice Ridge Fire suppression efforts are in effect for public lands managed by the Lolo and Flathead National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, Montana DNRC, and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Nature Conservancy Lands in Western Montana are also closed to all recreation until further notice. Visit fwp.mt.gov or call 406-542-5500 for up-to-date information on closures.
The fire is under the jurisdiction of the Lolo National Forest and the Montana Department of Natural Resources (MTDNRC). Montana National Guard soldiers are providing assistance to the Missoula and Powell County Sheriffs.
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