Bielenburg Fire Update July 26th, 2009
Incident: Bielenburg Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/26/2009
Bielenburg Fire Update
July 26, 2009
Start date: July 12, 2009; discovered July 19
Cause: Lightning
Contact: Clare Delaney, Information Officer Phone: 406-693-7608, cell 406-544-1084
Location: 10 miles north of Anaconda, 9 miles southwest of Deer Lodge.
Current Size: 188 Acres on the Pintler Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
The number of personnel on the fire is downsizing to the minimum necessary to accomplish objectives. Resources Assigned: Approximately 75 firefighters and support personnel are assigned to the incident along with one helicopter and two fire engines. Closures: An area closure is in effect for the National Forest Lands generally within the Dempsey, Racetrack, and Bielenberg drainages for public safety reasons. See Closure Order No. 2009-D8-021 for specific location descriptions. Racetrack Campground and Racetrack Rental Cabin will remain unavailable until the fire danger subsides. The Forest Service conveys its apologies to the public for this inconvenience. Current Status: An extremely strong thunder cell passed over the fire mid-afternoon yesterday. This was accompanied by strong erratic gusty winds and hail dropping from ½" to ¾" of rain.
Planned Actions: It was decided by the district ranger Charlene Bucha Gentry to manage this fire under a long-term implementation plan to achieve resource benefit objectives, while at the same time providing the necessary action to protect the values at risk. Today fire fighters will start the construction of check line. This line will run north and south from the west flank of the fire and aid in checking fire spread to the north and south of the fire. A spike camp has been established for the fire fighters safety and provides close access to the fire.
Safety Concerns: After the wetting rains yesterday afternoon the conditions around the fire are extremely muddy and slippery.
Weather: Unsettled weather is expected to bring more thunderstorms with high winds over the fire area throughout the afternoon and evening. The expected high over the fire area will be 78-88 degrees with 24-34% relative humidity. Cooperating Agencies: Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Powell County, U.S. Forest Service.
For further updates, please visit the national incident web site: www.inciweb.org
