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    DailyUpdate 20230810 0800 000094

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    NBC Montana
    The summary provides updates on 3 active wildfires in northwest Montana: The Big Knife, Niarada, and Mill Pocket fires grew due to dry conditions but rain has fallen, slightly dampening fire behavior. Crews are building containment lines and conducting strategic firing operations. Winds are expected to increase fire activity over the weekend as fuels dry out. Evacuation orders have been issued near the fires and stage 2 fire restrictions are in place across the reservation. A community meeting will provide further updates on fire status and response efforts.

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    DailyUpdate 20230810 0800 000094

    Uploaded by

    NBC Montana
    286 views2 pages
    The summary provides updates on 3 active wildfires in northwest Montana: The Big Knife, Niarada, and Mill Pocket fires grew due to dry conditions but rain has fallen, slightly dampening fire behavior. Crews are building containment lines and conducting strategic firing operations. Winds are expected to increase fire activity over the weekend as fuels dry out. Evacuation orders have been issued near the fires and stage 2 fire restrictions are in place across the reservation. A community meeting will provide further updates on fire status and response efforts.

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    Big Knife, Niarada and Mill Fires Update 8/10/23

    Original Title

    DailyUpdate_20230810_0800_000094

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    The summary provides updates on 3 active wildfires in northwest Montana: The Big Knife, Niarada, and Mill Pocket fires grew due to dry conditions but rain has fallen, slightly dampening fire behavior. Crews are building containment lines and conducting strategic firing operations. Winds are expected to increase fire activity over the weekend as fuels dry out. Evacuation orders have been issued near the fires and stage 2 fire restrictions are in place across the reservation. A community meeting will provide further updates on fire status and response efforts.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    286 views2 pages

    DailyUpdate 20230810 0800 000094

    Uploaded by

    NBC Montana
    The summary provides updates on 3 active wildfires in northwest Montana: The Big Knife, Niarada, and Mill Pocket fires grew due to dry conditions but rain has fallen, slightly dampening fire behavior. Crews are building containment lines and conducting strategic firing operations. Winds are expected to increase fire activity over the weekend as fuels dry out. Evacuation orders have been issued near the fires and stage 2 fire restrictions are in place across the reservation. A community meeting will provide further updates on fire status and response efforts.

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    of 2

    NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 3 INCIDENT COMMANDER: MIKE BEHRENS

    Big Knife, Niarada, & Mill Pocket Fires


    Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
    Fire Information: 406-426-9595 | [email protected]
    https://tinyurl.com/BigKnifeFire https://tinyurl.com/NiaradaMillPocketFires

    August 10, 2023

    Location: Big Knife - 5 miles east of Arlee, MT | Niarada - 12 miles west of Elmo, MT | Mill Pocket: 3 miles West of Hwy. 28
    Start Date: Big Knife - 7/24/2023 | Niarada - 7/30/2023 | Mill Pocket – 7/30/2023 Cause: Lightning Structures Lost: 4
    Big Knife-4,952 acres, 5% contained | Niarada–20,365 acres, 39% contained | Mill Pocket– 2,135 acres, 51% contained
    Total Personnel: 742 total Engines: 46 Aircraft: 1 + others available as needed Hand Crews: 17

    Community meeting TONIGHT!


    Please join us tonight, Thursday, August 10, at the Arlee Community Center at 6 PM for a public meeting. We will live-
    stream the meeting via the CSKT Division of Fire Facebook page, and we will provide status updates for all three fires.

    Big Knife Fire


    A passing cold front late Wednesday brought precipitation to the Big Knife Fire area, further dampening fire behavior.
    Despite the rain, fire managers are evaluating long-term potential fire growth due to the projected weather patterns and
    season. Heavy equipment operators are tying existing road prisms into constructed firelines along the fire’s southwestern
    perimeter. Crews continue assessing and implementing point protection measures to protect infrastructure and cultural
    resources identified by Resource Advisors. Firefighters are mopping up the edge of a strategic firing operation they
    conducted late last week to keep the fire north of Agency Creek. Aircraft are aiding firefighters as conditions allow, and
    fire managers used an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to perform reconnaissance and infrared (IR) detection flights in
    South Fork Jock Canyon and Agency Creek areas on Wednesday.

    Niarada Fire & Mill Pocket Fire


    Light rain fell over much of the Niarada and Mill Pocket fire areas Wednesday, further wetting small and medium fuels.
    However, much of the moisture is not penetrating heavy timber canopies. The cooler, wetter weather enabled firefighters
    to build more direct handline than was possible a few days ago. Crews continue mopping up along Cromwell Creek Road
    (working inward from the fire's edge) and assessing pockets of unburned fuels west of that line to evaluate whether they
    pose concerns for containment. Heavy fuels and steep terrain continue hampering efforts along the fire's eastern and
    southeastern edge. Firefighters will likely need to perform firing operations when conditions are conducive to secure
    portions of the indirect line in that area. Structure protection crews continue to work outside Elmo towards Big Arm, and a
    night shift helps keep watch over changing conditions and fire behavior.

    A type 1 helicopter conducting water drops cooled hot spots still smoldering in treacherous scree along the Mill Pocket
    Fire's northwestern edge. At the same time, firefighters on the ground are patrolling and mopping up the remaining fire
    perimeter.
    WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
    The cold front passing over the fire areas mid-week will continue to bring gusty winds up to 25-30 miles per hour.
    Meteorologists forecast warmer temperatures with highs in the 80s and a slow warming/drying trend. By the weekend,
    small and medium fuels (especially at low elevations) will likely dry out enough to increase fire behavior.

    CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES


    The Lake County Sheriff has placed several areas near the base of the mountains west of the Big Knife Fire in PRE-
    EVACUATION status. See the map for those locations in yellow (Jocko, Canal, Francis). In the Tribal Primitive Area,
    Belmore Slough and Burnt Cabin Roads are closed.
    The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is downgrading those in EVACUATION status near the Niarada Fire in Lake County to a
    PRE-EVACUATION WARNING. This area includes Alexander Road, Early Dawn Road, Spring Lane Road, Walking Horse
    Lane, Windward Heights Road, Wildhorse View, Buffalo Bridge Road, Saddle Drive, Island Butte Lane, Bridle Path, Ten
    Deuce Way, Cliffview Drive, and Ricketts Road.
    A PRE-EVACUATION WARNING means you may return to your home. However, as there is still a potential threat from
    the Niarada Fire, please do not bring back evacuated livestock until the area is downgraded to READY status. The
    remainder of the town of Elmo is in READY status.
    A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect around both fire areas. Do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) near the
    fire areas, as that is hazardous for pilots, and the firefighters on the ground who rely on aircraft support. Remember, if
    you fly, we can’t!
    Use extreme caution when driving on Highway 28. Although authorities have removed the modified speed limit on
    Highway 28, firefighters and equipment are still working in the area.

    FIRE RESTRICTIONS
    Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place across the Flathead Indian Reservation. No campfires are allowed, no smoking
    outside of vehicles, no operating combustible engines between 1PM-1AM, no operating vehicles off designated
    roads and trails. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit www.MTFireInfo.org for more fire information
    across Montana.

    The Flathead Hotshots working on the southeast side of the Nairada


    Fire. Photo Credit: Flathead Interagency Hotshot Crew

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