Warmer Weather Heats Up Fires in Sw Montana
Incident: Sand Basin Wildfire
Released: 8/27/2009
Warmer Weather Heats Up Fires in SW Montana
DILLON, MONT., (August 27, 2009, 7 p.m.) The lightning-caused Sand Basin Fire burning 23 miles southwest of Philipsburg grew to 180 acres with recent increased temperatures and lower humidity. The fire is expected to be more active until the weather changes since it is burning in heavy downfall from a microburst a few years ago. As a public safety precaution, the Sand Lake Road (Forest Road 5170) is closed from the junction of the Sand Basin and Bowles Creek Roads to the end of the road at Medicine Lake Trailhead.
"We are managing this fire for resource benefits while conditions are favorable," commented Charlene Bucha Gentry, Pintler District Ranger. "Even though the fire may grow to several hundred acres, the risk of it spreading outside of our defined area is relatively low." The fire is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area and is surrounded by fire scars from previous years.
The public is reminded that when the fire is active, smoke may be seen from the Georgetown Lake, Philipsburg and Bitterroot Valley areas.
The lightning-caused Lily Lake Fire burning about four miles east of Wisdom grew to 115 acres with increased fire activity. Firefighters intend to keep the fire from spreading west of Lily Lake.
"Since we are managing the Lily Lake Fire for resource benefit," said Russ Riebe, Wisdom District Ranger, "we will take actions when and where appropriate based upon fire behavior." On Friday, crews will set in hose line to anchor the west flank of the fire above Lily Lake. An area closure was implemented Thursday afternoon for a sixteen square mile area that is within the project boundaries of this fire. Lily Lake, Sand Lake, and the area north of Baldy Lake is included within this closure, for public safety. Updates of the fire, or area closure status can be obtained at the Wisdom Ranger District, phone 689-3243.
Current information on both fires with maps and photos may be found at www.inciweb.org.
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