8/24/07 W H Update
Incident: W H Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/24/2007
August 24, 2007 8:00 a.m. Fire Information: 406 932-3121, 3122 Public Information Officer: Kimberly Nelson
Headlines
- The WH Complex remained at 28,550 acres and is 60% contained. The Complex consists of two fires that are approximately 8 miles apart. The perimeter of the fires has remained unchanged for several days.
- Demobilization of some fire resources is continuing.
- The amount of contained perimeter and mop up on the west sides of the Wicked Creek Fire and the Hicks Park Fire continue to increase, reducing the threat to structures on both fires.
- There are currently 449 personnel working on the WH Complex including nine 20-person hand crews, two helicopters, 25 engines, one skidder, and one timber processor.
- A fire rehabilitation plan is being developed. Members of a BAER (Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation) Team will begin working on the fires today.
- Suppression efforts continue to focus on maintaining structure protection for structures at risk, removing structure protection for structures no longer at risk, snagging roads, and patrol. Crews continue to contain perimeter and mop up on both fires.
- Area closures are being reevaluated, but remain in effect.
Hicks Park Fire - Size unchanged at 2,500 acres. Crews continue to work to secure the fire perimeter and mop up on the northwest, west, and southwest flanks of the fire. A crew will be transported by helicopter to the east side of the fire to work a pocket of heavy fuels on the east side of the fire. Structure and bridge protection efforts continue.
Wicked Creek Fire - Size unchanged at 26,050 acres. Crews continue to work to secure the fire perimeter and mop up on the west, northwest, and southwest flanks of the fire. Snag removal along the main road through the center of the burn has been completed. Structure and bridge protection efforts continue.
Public Meetings - No further public meetings are scheduled at this time.
Evacuations - Evacuation orders have been rescinded for landowners in both fire areas as of 6:00 am today. As a result, the Sweet Grass County EOC office was closed Thursday evening. Law enforcement personnel will be patrolling the areas for safety and security purposes. The general public will not be allowed into the former evacuation areas.
Area closures - The three current area closures remain in effect until further notice.
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