River Road East Fire Daily Update, Sunday, August 27

River Road East Fire

Fact Sheet

Sunday, August 27, 2023 at 10:00 am

NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 1  

INCIDENT COMMANDER: BRENT OLSON

Information Phone: 406-345-5972           

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-river-road-east-fire

Email: 2023.RiverRoadEast@firenet.gov 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riverroadeastfire

Location:  6 miles southeast of Plains, Montana                                               

Start Date: 8/18/2023         Cause: Unknown                 Size: 17,093 acres        Containment: 11%           

Total Personnel: 704         Crews: 15                          Engines: 45                 Helicopters: 6   

KEY MESSAGE: There are several area closures in place on lands around the fire and on segments of the Clark Fork and Flathead Rivers to ensure public and firefighter safety. An overview and links are provided below in this Fact Sheet. Please respect all closure areas and allow firefighter crews, engines, and aircraft to work safely. This includes no drone flying in the temporary flight restriction area.

CURRENT STATUS: Warmer temperatures and lower humidity levels made for a more active day on the fire yesterday with pockets of heat and smoke being visible in several locations. Helicopters were utilized for water drops in key areas to reduce heat and extinguish fire where most effective. Fire crews were active yesterday on the north flank utilizing direct tactics right along the fire’s edge just east of Highway 200. Along the eastern edge, crews made good progress on control line construction moving towards the south. Equipment and crews continued to work on construction of the indirect control line along the Lolo National Forest and CSKT boundary. The fire control line within the Highway 200 corridor on both sides of the river continued to be monitored and secured by engine crews. Construction of the shaded fuels break south of Patrick’s Knob on the west side of the fire area was completed.

PLANNED ACTIONS: Hot and dry conditions are forecasted to continue today which will result in increased fire activity. Smoke is expected to be seen in several areas of the fire during this time. Engine crews will continue to patrol the Highway 200 corridor control lines near Paradise to make sure they are secure. The Structure Protection Group remains prepared to respond as necessary. Crews will work to connect control lines along the north side of the fire near Henry’s Creek. On the eastern side, resources will continue constructing direct and indirect control lines. Crews have also been working along sections of the edge of the unburnt island on the southeast side of the fire. Over on the western side of the fire, crews and equipment will continue to strengthen and improve the constructed shaded fuels break as well as the indirect control line on the northwest corner. The northwest corner and a few areas along the west side of the fire are being prepared for some potential firing operations to burn out the vegetation ahead of the fire in small sections over the next couple of days. Helicopters are available for water bucket drops as directed by ground crews.

WEATHER: The weather will be partly cloudy with temperatures from 83-93 degrees in the valleys and 73-83 degrees on the ridges. Relative humidity levels will drop to 17-27%. Winds will be from the north at 5-10 mph.

CLOSURES: A section of the Flathead River at Perma Bridge to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes boundary is closed for the safety of fishermen and recreationalists due to the River Road East Fire. The boat ramp at Perma Bridge is still open and boaters can go east, upstream.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Restrictions and Closures: https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions.

The Lolo National Forest has an emergency closure of roads and trails (Closure #23-010-Lolo-D5) effective August 21, 2023. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the River Road East Fire. For a complete listing of the closed roads & trails visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lolo/alerts-notices.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire (FDC 3/9687) for the safety of aviation resources.