Approximate Location
Incident Overview
October 11, 2011
Skalkaho Pass Highway (State Highway 38) is now open. Montana Transporation Department is asking drivers to be alert and watch for falling rocks. For more information call 511 or visit http://www.mdt511.com/
The Bitterroot National Forest has lifted all road/trail/area closures around the 41 Complex Fires. For more information see the press release above.
Even though the closures are being lifted, fire officials are urging the public to use caution when returning to these areas. There are still hazards out there including falling snags or trees, open flames, rolling rocks and debris, burned out stumps and limited visibilty from smoke.
For the latest news, photos, closures and maps, click on the links above.
Current Size: 41 Fire = 105 acres
Up Top = 13,286 acres
Coyote Meadows = 1,467 acres
Fox Peak = 289 acres
Total: 15,147 acres
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Sunday August 28th, 2011 approx. 10:00 PM |
| Location | Sapphire Mountains 8 miles east of Hamilton - Darby Ranger District |
| Incident Commander | Taylor / Mohn |
Current Situation
| Size | 15,147 acres |
|---|---|
| Fuels Involved | Heavy Timber (litter and understory) Subalpine Fir/ Green and Bug Killed Lodgepole |
| Fire Behavior | Smoldering and creeping |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response)team from the Bitterroot National Forest is on the ground this week beginning restoration work on the 41 Complex Fires. Priority areas include protecting road/trail systems, fire line rehab, reducing sediment and erosion, and monitoring and treating for new invasive weeds. |
|---|---|
| Terrain Difficulty | High difficulty. Steep terrain. |
| Remarks | Fire managers have re-opened Railroad Creek Road #711. The Skalkaho Highway (State Highway 38) has also been reopened by the Montana Transporation Department. The area closure around the Coyote Meadows fire including Skalkaho Rye Road #75 was lifted on September 23, 2011. |
Current Weather
| Temperature | 55 degrees |
|---|
