Cascade Fire 08/08/08 8:00 PM
Incident: Cascade Wildland Fire
Released: 8/8/2008
Current Size: 10,173 acres
Containment: 85%
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 providing support for the 380 acre Tumble Creek Fire approximately 40 miles to the west.
Stage 1 Fire restrictions are in effect throughout the Beartooth Ranger District. Call the Beartooth Ranger District for further information at (406) 446-2103.
Today's Activities: Crews were busy mopping up and patrolling the east and south corners of the fire. Engine crews continued to snag hazard trees The northwest and southwest perimeters of the fire were in air patrol status. Engine crews patrolled the West Fork road from Basin Creek trailhead west, continuing mop up and falling hazard trees. Resources continued to identify hotspots and rehab the burned area.
Resources assigned: 3 hand crews, 5 engines, and 3 helicopters for a total of 175.
Weather and Fire Behavior: The afternoon minimum humidity was 19-25% with a temperature of 80 degrees. The fire had interior creeping and smoldering of unburned pockets of fuel.
Evacuations, Closures: All evacuations for Grizzly Peak have been lifted. The Lake Fork Trail has been opened to Sundance Pass. The West Fork of Rock Creek roadblock at the forest boundary has been moved to Timbercrest. Cabin owners with property in Basin Creek will be allowed to go back to their cabins from 8:00 am until dark, but must present a current identification. Access to the ski area is prohibited. 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. The Custer National Forest has issued a fire Area Closure order that includes most of the trails and back country in the West Fork drainage. Cabin owners in Lions Club Camp are allowed back in via Lake Fork Road per Beartooth Creek Ranger District direction.
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.
