Tin Cup Fire Update -- August 10, 2007
Incident: Tin Cup Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 8/10/2007
FIRE UPDATE: Tin Cup Fire
Bitterroot National Forest
August 10, 2007 @ 8:00am
Fire Information: (406) 821-4247
www.inciweb.org/, or www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot
Location: 4 miles west of Darby, Montana
Date and Time of Fire Start: August 5 at 3:47 p.m. Cause: Under Investigation
Fuels: Timber (Ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir)
Cooperating Agencies: Darby Rural FD; Hamilton Volunteer FD, other local area rural FDs, Ravalli County Sheriff & OEM Departments, town of Darby, Darby School District, Montana DNRC, Bitterroot RC&D, Forest Service (USFS), and local government
Estimated Fire Size: 580 Acres Injuries to Date: 3
Estimated Fire Containment: 60% Estimated Expected Containment: TBD
Committed Resources: 283 total personnel that include 7 Fire Crews, 16 Engines, 3 Dozers, 17 Water Tenders, shared Helicopters and Air Tankers, and fire support personnel
Structures Threatened: 100 Structures Damaged: 0 Structures Destroyed: 0
Fire Activity: During yesterday's controlled burn-out operations, firefighters observed single tree and group tree torching along with short-range spotting.
Past and Current Events: Yesterday, firefighters executed a successful burn-out operation to contain the problem corner of the northwestern flank of the fire that is in steep terrain. A firefighter from a hotshot crew slipped and broke his leg during this operation. Firefighters reported no significant fire activity last night. Fire crews' focus today is in the area of the northwestern side of the fire. This area has the most heat, difficult terrain, and potential for fire spread.
Closures: Tin Cup Road is closed at the USFS boundary; Bunkhouse Road is closed at the end of the pavement; Forest Road #550 is closed below the horse camp at Lake Como; and an area closure was put in place late Tuesday afternoon for the immediate fire area. Visitors are reminded that the Bitterroot National Forest in is Stage 2 fire restrictions which include no campfires and no smoking outside of a vehicle or building -- except in cleared, designated areas.
Evacuations: Due to active fire behavior, evacuation orders were previously issued (Stage 2) for approximately 37 homes off of upper Bunkhouse Road, Snowy Mountain Road, View Road 3400, Almosta Road, Stags Leap Road, Cerro Gordo Road, Camp 4 Road, upper end of McIntosh Lane, and upper Tin Cup Road. Approximately 47 homes along Ravenwood Road, Northstar Drive, Base Camp Road, Elk Range Way, Moose Meadow Lane, lower part of McIntosh Lane, Singing Pines Road, Mt. Zion Loop, and Wright Way are in evacuation standby (Stage 1).
A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for noon today through 9:00pm tonight due to forecasted wind gusts up-to 30 mph and low relative humidity. All previous evacuation orders remain the same but will be evaluated tonight for any changes.
Remarks: Today, predicted westerly winds and wind gusts of up-to 30 mph will test the eastern flank that faces the town of Darby.
