Cascade Fire 08/10/08 8:00 AM
Incident: Cascade Wildfire
Released: 8/10/2008
Cascade Fire 10,173 acres
85% containment
Tumble Creek Fire 380 acres 100% containment
The Cascade Fire is six miles west of Red Lodge, Montana. Brad McBratney's Type 3 Fire Team Organization is fighting the fire. McBratney's team is also managing the Tumble Creek Fire approximately 40 miles to the west.
Stage 1 Fire restrictions are in effect throughout the Beartooth Ranger District. The Beartooth Ranger District is available for further information at (406) 446-2103.
Yesterday's Activities: On the Cascade Fire, crews made good progress mopping up along the West Fork Rock Creek Road. Engine crews continued to cut hazard trees. Resources also continued to identify hotspots on the Cascade and Tumble Creek Fire yesterday. The Tumble Creek Fire infrared report indicated only a few hot spots.
Today's Planned Activities: On the Cascade Fire, engine crews will patrol the West Fork Road from Basin Creek trailhead west, continuing mop up and falling hazard trees. Resources will continue to identify hotspots and rehab the burned area. The Cascade and Tumble Creek Fires will be monitored from the air and do bucket work as needed.
Resources assigned: 1 hand crews, 2 engines, and 2 helicopters for a total of 115.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Strong to severe thunderstorms will be the greatest weather concern for today's shift. Expect storms over Yellowstone Park to impact the fire area between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Frequent lightning and locally heavy rain possible. There will be cooler temperatures and higher humidity with westerly winds.
Evacuations, Closures:
Evacuations for Grizzly Peak have been lifted. The Lake Fork Trail is open to Sundance Pass. The West Fork of Rock Creek roadblock at the forest boundary has been moved to Timbercrest. Due to the hazard created by standing burned trees next to the West Fork of Rock Creek Road, no travel will be permitted beyond the Basin Creek area until further notice. The Senia area is closed due to safety hazards. Cabin owners in Lions Club Camp are allowed back in via Lake Fork Road per Beartooth Creek Ranger District direction. Access to the ski area is prohibited. The Custer National Forest Area Closure order includes most of the trails and back country in the West Fork drainage.
Other information sources: http://www.inciweb.org/, http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.pdf or http://www.firewise.org/fw youcanuse/index.htmredlodge.com, www.fs.fed.us/r1/custer
Cooperating Agencies: Montana Highway Patrol, Carbon County Sheriff, Custer NF, BLM, NPS, BIA, FWS and Montana DNRC and VFD's from the surrounding area including Red Lodge, Roberts, Absarokee, Columbus, Joliet, and Belfry.
