Ash Fire Complex Update, 6-29-12 at 0800

Incident: Ash Creek Complex Wildfire
Released: 11 hrs. ago

ASH CREEK

DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET

Date: June 29, 2012

Time: 8:00 a.m.

 

Incident: Ash Creek Complex

Fires in Complex: Ash Creek, Coal Seam

Location: Ash Creek Fire is 10 miles east of Lame Deer; Coal Seam is about 3 miles north of Busby

 

Approximate Size: Ash Creek Fire: 110,000 acres; Coal Seam Fire: 700 acres

Containment : 5%

 

Incident Commander: Tom Heintz, Northern Rockies Type-II Incident Management Team

 

Resources: Hand Crews: (1) Type I Hot Shot Fire Crews; (2) Type II Initial Attack fire crews; Engines: 35 Fire engines; Water Tenders: 3; Dozers: 3; Air Support: (1) Type II helicopter, (1) Type I helicopter, (1) Air tanker, (2) Air attack

Total personnel: 263

Injuries: None

 

Fire Update: The fire behavior on the Ash Creek fire was active on the northeast flank in the Cook Mountain hiking and riding area yesterday. Fire was very active along Highway 212 between Lame Deer and Ashland; much of the activity was a result of favorable burning conditions later in the afternoon. The northwest and southern perimeters experienced less fire activity with primarily interior burning and isolated tree torching. Fire crews will continue direct suppression tactics where it is safe to do so and strengthen containment lines; mop up and patrol the less active perimeters of the fire; and maintain structure protection in areas where residences remain threatened. Fire activity was moderate on the Coal Seam fire yesterday with that fire in mop up and patrol status.

Predicted weather for today is temperatures low-to-mid 90s, low relative humidity levels and gusty winds at 10-25 mph from the west, switching to north/northwest later in afternoon. These conditions are expected to bring increased fire activity on the eastern perimeter of the Ash Creek fire.

This complex is a cooperative effort among many partners including: Rosebud County, Powder River County, volunteer fire departments and firefighters, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Bureau of Land Management and many individuals in the surrounding communities. Three public meetings are scheduled today at the following times and locations: 11 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club in Lame Deer; 2 p.m. at St. Labre in Ashland; and 7 p.m. at the Powder River courthouse in Broadus.

Special Concerns: Residences remain threatened and portions of Highway 212 remain closed due to fire activity and smoke. Two habitable and three non-habitable structures were burned in the Ash Creek Fire yesterday. Attention: Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, June 29, the Custer National Forest will enter into Stage 2 fire restrictions, for more details go to the Forest website at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/custer/.

More Information: Visit Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/, email ashcreekfireinfo@gmail.com or call fire information staff, Pat McKelvey at 406-459-8225 or Kathy Bushnell 406-422-7164.