Ash Creek Fire Update, 7/3/12 at 8 AM
Incident: Ash Creek Complex Wildfire
Released: 5 hrs. ago
ASH CREEK
DAILY INFORMATION FACT SHEET
Date: July 3, 2012 Time: 8:30 a.m.
Incident: Ash Creek Complex is made up of the Ash Creek fire and the Coal Seam fire.
Incident Commander: Tom Heintz, Northern Rockies Type-II Incident Management Team
Incident Information telephone number: 406-748-3061
Location: Ash Creek Fire began 10 miles east of Lame Deer and spread north and east; Coal Seam is about 6 miles north of Busby.
Approximate Size: Ash Creek Fire: 186,800 acres at 55% containment; Coal Seam Fire: 527 acres with 95% containment.
Resources: Hand Crews: (5) Type I Hot Shot Fire Crews; (14) Type II Initial Attack fire crews; (3) Type II crews from local BIA; Engines: 46; Water Tenders: 8; Dozers: 6; Air Support: (5) Helicopters, (1) Air tanker, (2) Air attack
Total personnel: 679. Injuries: None
Fire Update: The Ash Creek fire continued to be very active yesterday and last night. The major activity is occurring in the ponderosa pine forest where the fuels are dense and are resisting the suppression efforts. The weather, combined with dry fuel, created very active fire behavior with major crown fires and long-range spotting. The fire is currently south of Highway 212 about a mile south of the North Fork of Threemile Creek and a mile west of Sonnette Road; on the north side of Highway 212 the fire is up to Elk Ridge, about a mile south of Stacey School.
There is a Red Flag Warning for the fire area today with temperatures forecasted to reach 106 degrees, relative humidity levels between 5 to 15% with southerly winds at 10-20 mph. With the cold front passage today, winds are expected to change directions later in the day from the south to northwest winds coming in at 15-25 mph with gusts of 35 mph. Almost a repeat of the weather forecast that proceeded the large fire growth seen on July 1st.
Similar to yesterday, fire crews will continue to mop-up and patrol the north, west and southwest flanks of the fire; however a majority of the suppression activity will remain on the east, northeast and southeast flanks. Crews, with assistance from local and air resources, will capitalize on opportunities to safely prepare and place direct/indirect fireline around the east side as well as provide structure protection as it is needed during the day.
Special Concerns & Closures: Ranches and residences remain threatened particularly in the Ashland/Broadus Divide near the leading edge of this fire. Highway 212 between Ashland and Broadus remains closed due to fire activity and smoke. Please respect the fire restrictions in place by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and local Counties by ceasing fireworks and open fire use of any kind.
The Ashland Ranger District of the Custer National Forest is under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and has initiated area closures due to fire activity on all National Forest System lands north of Highway 212. More detailed explanation of the restrictions and closures is available at the Custer National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/custer.
More Information: Visit Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/, email ashcreekfireinfo@gmail.com or call the fire information line at 406-748-3061.
Unit Information
Incident Contacts
Phone: 406-748-3061
Phone: 406-459-8225
Phone: 406-422-7164
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