Tin Cup Fire Update -- August 11, 2007
Incident: Tin Cup Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 8/11/2007
FIRE UPDATE: Tin Cup Fire
Bitterroot National Forest
August 11, 2007 @ 8:00am
Fire Information: (406) 821-1057
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: 608 Acres Injuries to Date: 3
Estimated Fire Containment: 80% Estimated Expected Containment: 08/12/2007
Committed Resources: 308 total personnel that include 8 Fire Crews, 14 Engines, 4 Dozers, 10 Water Tenders, 2 Helicopters and Air Tankers, and fire support personnel
Structures Threatened: 100 Structures Damaged: 0 Structures Destroyed: 0
Fire Activity: Yesterday, firefighter's observed minimal fire behavior.
Current Events: Today, fire crews will continue to strengthen containment lines by mopping up hot spots 300 feet within the fire perimeter. They will also be patrolling the fire, and initiating fire suppression rehabilitation.
Closures: The upper portion of Tin Cup Road remains closed at the beginning of the Forest Service boundary from the hours of 7:00am to 7:00pm; Bunkhouse Road remains closed at the end of the pavement from the hours of 7:00am to 7:00pm; and Forest Road #550 is closed below the horse camp at Lake Como. The immediate fire area is closed due to hazard trees that are weakened by the fire.
Visitors are reminded that fire restrictions are in effect. No campfires and no smoking (except in designated areas) are allowed.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT -- Evacuations:
This morning, Saturday, August 11, 2007, at 6:00am, evacuation orders that 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) where changed to now be evacuation standby notices (Stage 1).
This means those residents will be allowed to return home but still need to be prepared to evacuate if notified by the Ravalli County Sheriff. Any questions regarding evacuations, please call 406-375-6650.
Remarks: On Thursday, August 9, KUFM (Missoula NPR Radio) conducted a live interview with NorCal Team II Incident Commander Bill Kaage and Division Supervisor Dale Shipplehoute, which aired later that evening on the Montana Evening Edition. The news story lasted 7-8 minutes and included interviews with a couple of landowners who have completed hazardous fuels projects supported by the Forest Service, Montana DNRC, and USDA RC&D grants and technical assistance. The entire story can be heard by clicking on the following internet link: http://www.mtpr.net/program info/2007-08-09-132.
