SIT REP 1: Sunday, August 13, 2023, 1145 PT

The BIG KNIFE FIRE is located about five (5) miles east of Arlee in Montana, which started on July 24, 2023. It is under the management of the Northern Rockies Team 3 which is also managing the NARADA FIRE and the MILL POCKET FIRE.

BIG KNIFE FIRE

Fire has burned through 4,952 acres of timber and is currently at yesterday’s statistics with fire behavior remaining the same as moderate with backing, flanking, and with single tree torching. There is a 7% containment status.

(L) Photo Credit: CSKT Division of Fire

Command of the fire is under the Flathead Agency (BIA) as the Lead Agency along with a CIMT (Northern Rockies Team 3). The CIMT is also managing the NIARADA and MILL POCKET FIRES.

The current cost-to-date has risen from $6.8 Million (on Saturday) to $7.0 Million today.

NIARADA FIRE

The NIARADA FIRE is located about 12 miles west of Elmo, Montana, and started on July 30, 2023. There have been about 20,365 acres burned and has reached a 70% containment status. Resources and personnel are being shared on all three wildfire incidents.

MILL POCKET FIRE

The MILL POCKET FIRE is located about three (3) miles west of Hwy 28. It started on July 30, 2023, and has burned about 2,135 acres and has an 89% containment status.

All three wildfires were sparked by lightning which passed over all three areas respectively and are sharing resources between each location which include a total of 657 personnel, 46 engines, 10 hand crews, and one copter with an additional one on standby as needed.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog