Woods Creek Fire Update 07/27/2021

SUMMARY:  The Woods Creek Fire was discovered on Saturday, July 10 near Boulder Lakes in the Big Belt Mountains. The fire is currently moving east southeast. Based on IR mapping, the fire is approximately 3,700 acres and reached the Forest Boundary. A Type III Incident Management team has taken command as of 0700 this morning. Meagher County and White Sulphur Springs Volunteer fire department crew and local IA crews working on the fire will continue prepping structures, creating containment lines, and doing point protection. Pre-evacuations remain in effect for the Camas Creek Road, northwest of White Sulphur Springs, Montana. In addition, evacuations were issued for Forest Service recreation sites: Thompson Guard Station, Gypsy Lake Campground, and the Atlanta Creek Road. We are working with both counties to assess and support evacuation warnings and orders. We anticipate the fire to make a push today to the south and make a threat to Duck Creek Road also. 
FIRE BEHAVIOR: Yesterday, a recon flight was flown in the early afternoon that showed active fire with some interior pockets that may continue to burn. Most fire movement was to the east and southeast of the fire's current perimeter, but all flanks exhibited heat. Another recon flight will be ordered for today. Resources that have been on order are trickling in. We are sharing air resources with the Divide Complex and American Fork Fire. 
CLOSURE: Due to hazardous fire conditions in the Woods Creek Fire area, area and trail closures are in effect.  Area closures have been implemented and close a large portion of the central Belt Mountains. Please see the attached closure map for full details. Generally, the Area Closure is bounded in the north by Wagner Gulch south to the Birch Creek road.  An area closure restricts all public assess within the bounded area to public use. 
WEATHER: High temperatures with low RH’s are expected today and stronger shifting winds are possible with incoming thunderstorms. RHs will begin to come up tomorrow evening and will be much higher by Wednesday as atmospheric moisture increases further. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are again possible Wednesday, but the chances of seeing measurable precipitation will also increase. 
SAFETY:  The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Custer Gallatin National Forest are currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, including the use of charcoal grills. Use of pressurized fuel devices with an on/off switch are acceptable.  For more information visit the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest website under “Alerts and Notices” or visit www.MTFireInfo.org .  Visit: www.airnow.gov for more information on air quality near you. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area and this includes Drones. If you fly, we can’t.