Fire Summary: The Lump Gulch Fire was reported on June 13th in north Jefferson County near Sheep Mountain. On initial attack, firefighters worked in challenging weather conditions and heavy fuel loads to establish an anchor point and build containment lines.  Currently, 131 personnel from local and county fire departments, the Montana DNRC, and the USFS are assigned to the fire. It includes four 20-person hand crews, four wildland fire engines, two dozers, and four helicopters. Snags continue to pose a safety threat, as the fire is in heavy beetle-killed timber with significant dead and down fuel loading. 
Fire Behavior: Fire behavior and fire spread are minimal. 
Weather: Wet and cold conditions to continue throughout the day today with a threat of thunderstorms which may bring erratic winds. Stray showers or thunderstorms are possible on Friday but mainly mixed sunshine and clouds. 
Planned Actions: Fire crews and heavy equipment will continue to build and reinforce containment and access lines on the east and west sides of the fire as well as begin work clearing evacuation routes should they be needed for future operations.  Crews will mop up and manage any hot spots inside the fire perimeter and work to achieve 100% containment near structures. Aerial resources remain available.
Evacuations & Closures: Currently, there are no evacuation or pre-evacuation orders in place.  There is a permanent area closure on USFS land near the active timber sale. 

Fire location: North Jefferson County  
Start date: June 13th   
Protection: DNRC & USFS
Ownership: USFS, BLM, State, & Private 
Incident Commander: Shane Martin  
Size: 1,073 acres (estimated) 
Fuels: Standing dead and down timber, rocky outcrops and grass intermixed throughout.  
Containment: 50%
Cause: Power lines 

Interagency Resources:
4 engines
2 type 1 hand crews (‘hotshots’)
2 type 2 initial attack crews
1 10-person module 
1 helicopters   
1 feller buncher  

Total Personnel: 131
Facebook: Jefferson County Montana Sheriff's Office, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office, Montana DNRC, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest 

Preparedness Message: 

Are you prepared for an evacuation? 
-Practice two escape routes 
-Designate an emergency meeting location 
-Assemble a “Go Bag” with emergency supplies 
-Keep fire extinguishers on hand and know how to use them 
-Have a plan for your animals 

Fire Summary: The Lump Gulch Fire was reported on June 13th in north Jefferson County near Sheep Mountain. On initial attack, firefighters worked in challenging weather conditions and heavy fuel loads to establish an anchor point and build containment lines.  

Currently, 131 personnel from local and county fire departments, the Montana DNRC, and the USFS are assigned to the fire. It includes four 20-person hand crews, four wildland fire engines, two dozers, and four helicopters.

Snags continue to pose a safety threat, as the fire is in heavy beetle-killed timber with significant dead and down fuel loading. 

Fire Behavior: Fire behavior and fire spread are minimal.

Weather: Widespread showers, thunderstorms and wetting rain are expected today through Thursday.  Cloudy, rainy, and cool weather will result in humidity remaining above 50 percent for the next 24 hours. A winter storm watch is in effect until noon today for elevations over 5,500 ft with snow accumulations expected of up to 12 inches.  

Planned Actions: Fire crews and heavy equipment will continue to build and reinforce containment and access lines on the east and west sides of the fire as well as begin work clearing evacuation routes should they be needed for future operations.  Crews will mop up and manage any hot spots inside the fire perimeter and work to achieve 100% containment near structures. Aerial resources remain available.

Evacuations & Closures: Currently, there are no evacuation or pre-evacuation orders in place. There is a permanent area closure on USFS land near the active timber sale. 

Fire location: North Jefferson County  

Start date: June 13th   

Protection: DNRC & USFS

Ownership: USFS, State, & Private 

Incident Commander: Shane Martin  

Size:

1,073 acres (estimated) 

Fuels: Standing dead and down timber, rocky outcrops and grass intermixed throughout.  

Containment: 35%

Cause: Power lines 

Interagency Resources:

4 engines

2 type 1 hand crews (‘hotshots’)

2 type 2 initial attack crews

1 10-person module 

4 helicopters   

2 dozers  

1 feller buncher 

Total Personnel: 131

Facebook: Jefferson County Montana Sheriff's Office, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office, Montana DNRC, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest 

Preparedness Message: Are you prepared for an evacuation? 

-Practice two escape routes

-Designate an emergency meeting location

-Assemble a “Go Bag” with emergency supplies 

-Keep fire extinguishers on hand and know how to use them

-Have a plan for your animals

Fire Summary: 

The Lump Gulch Fire was reported on June 13th in north Jefferson County near Sheep Mountain. On initial attack, firefighters worked in challenging weather conditions and heavy fuel loads to establish an anchor point and build containment lines. 

Currently, 135 personnel from local and county fire departments, the Montana DNRC, and the USFS are assigned to the fire. It includes four 20-person hand crews, four wildland fire engines, two dozers, and four helicopters. Snags continue to pose a safety threat, as the fire is in heavy beetle-killed timber with significant dead and down fuel loading. 

Fire Behavior: 

Fire behavior and fire spread are minimal. Weather: The fire area received one-tenth of an inch of rain overnight and widespread showers and wetting rain are expected today through Wednesday. Cloudy, rainy, and cool weather will result in humidity remaining above 50 percent for the next 24 hours. A winter storm watch is in effect from this evening through Wednesday morning in elevations over 5,000 ft with snow accumulations expected of up to 8 inches. 

Planned Actions: 

Fire crews and heavy equipment will continue to build and reinforce containment lines on the east and west sides of the fire as well as begin work clearing evacuation routes should they be needed for future operations. Crews will also mop up and manage any hot spots inside the fire perimeter. Aerial resources remain available. 

Evacuations & Closures: 

Jefferson County lifted all remaining pre-evacuation orders effective this morning. Currently there are no evacuation or pre-evacuation orders in place. There is a permanent area closure on USFS land near the active timber sale. Fire location: North Jefferson County 

Start date: June 13th 

Protection: DNRC & USFS 

Ownership: USFS, State, & Private 

Incident Commander: Shane Martin 

Size: 1,100 acres (estimated) 

Fuels: Standing dead and down timber, rocky outcrops and grass intermixed throughout. 

Containment: 25% 

Cause: Under Investigation Interagency 

Resources: 

4 engines 

2 type 1 hand crews (‘hotshots’) 

2 type 2 initial attack crews 

1 10-person module 

4 helicopters 

2 dozers 

1 feller buncher 

Total Personnel: 135 

Facebook: Jefferson County Montana Sheriff's Office, Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office, Montana DNRC, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Preparedness 

Message: 

Are you prepared for an evacuation? 

-Practice two escape routes 

-Designate an emergency meeting location 

-Assemble a “Go Bag” with emergency supplies 

-Keep fire extinguishers on hand and know how to use them 

-Have a plan for your animals​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 15, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT:

Duane Buchi, Public Information Officer

(406) 750-8934

FIRE UPDATE: LUMP GULCH FIRE

HELENA, MT— On Saturday, June 13, 2020 a fire ignited in Lump Gulch in northern Jefferson County near Sheep Mountain. The fire is approximately 1,500 acres and considered to be 15% contained.  The fire cause is still under investigation. Fire crews and heavy equipment will continue to build and reinforce containment lines on the east and west side of the fire, working towards the north end. Crews will also mop up and take care of any hotspots inside the fire perimeter.  Multiple aerial resources remain available. 

Fire behavior and fire spread is minimal with occasional hot spots. At this time, two outbuildings have been lost in the fire. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with heavy standing dead and down timber. It is likely that this fire will continue to smolder and produce smoke in the coming weeks.  

The Central Montana Type III Incident Management Team is assigned to the fire. Shane Martin is the Incident Commander.

All mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted, but several areas in Jefferson County are under pre-evacuation notices including Sheep Mountain, Ohio Gulch, Travis Creek, Blue Sky Heights, Forest Park Estates, Jackson Creek, and Lump Gulch. All pre-evacuation notices in Lewis and Clark County were lifted on Sunday.

The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest issued an area closure around the Good Neighbor Authority Brooklyn Bridge Timber Sale due to fire-related activity in the area. The DNRC is asking the public to stay clear of the area as congestion problems may impact our ability to access the area safely.

Please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6770/ [gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com] [gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com] for the latest updates on the Lump Gulch Fire.

Current resources assigned to the fire:

Four (2) enginesTwo (2) Type I Crews (Hotshots)Two (2) Type II Initial Attack crewsOne (1) 10-person moduleTwo (2) dozerFour (4) HelicoptersOne (1) Feller Buncher 

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
HELENA-LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL FOREST HELENA RANGER DISTRICT - HELENA, MONTANA

FOREST ORDER - 01-15-12-20-06

Area Closure - GNA Brooklyn Bridge Timber Sale Area

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e), and 36 C.F.R. § 261.55 (a) and (b) the following orders and restrictions regarding the GNA Brooklyn Bridge Timber Sale Area, Helena Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are hereby enacted:

PROHIBITION:

1.     To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety [36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e)].

2.     Being on a trail [36 CFR 261.55 (a)].

3.     Using any type of vehicle prohibited by the order [36 CFR 261.55 (b)].

AREA AND TRAIL CLOSURE DESCRIPTION:

This closure applies to all National Forest System (NFS) lands including     rail 4010-T and any temporary roads created for within the GNA Brooklyn Bridge Timber Sale Area as depicted on the attached map (Attachment A) and generally located in T9N, R4W, sections 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. This order prohibits entry onto these NFS Lands and includes all methods of travel (foot, mechanized, motorized, and stock).

PURPOSE:

This closure is for public safety due to temporary logging and log hauling operations and public safety due to fire operations.

IMPLEMENTATION:

This order will be in effect from June 13th, 2020, and shall remain in effect until August 31, 2020, or until the order is rescinded, whichever occurs first.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

EXEMPTIONS: 
Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

   (l)Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(l)

(4) Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(4)


VIOLATION:
 

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. (16 U.S.C. §551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3559 and 3571).

  INFORMATION:

Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Helena Ranger District Office located at 2880 Skyway Drive Helena, Montana, (406) 449-5201, and at the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor's Office located at 2880 Skyway Drive, Helena, Montana, (406) 449-5201.

Executed in Helena, Montana, this 13th day of June, 2020.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

June 14, 2020

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kristin Sleeper, Public Information Officer

(406) 210-8122

FIRE UPDATE: LUMP GULCH FIRE

HELENA, MT— On Saturday, June 13, 2020 a fire ignited in Lump Gulch in northern Jefferson County near Sheep Mountain. Yesterday’s aerial observations indicate the fire is approximately 1,500 acres and additional resources continue to arrive to the fire. Crews are focusing on securing the line established yesterday and continuing to build line on both sides of the fire. Aerial resources remain available.   

At this time, two outbuildings have been lost in the fire. We are unaware of any other structure losses. The fire is still considered to be zero percent contained and the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with heavy dead and down timber.

As of 12:00 p.m. the Central Montana Type III Incident Management Team assumed control of the fire. Shane Martin is the Incident Commander.

All mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted, but several areas remain under pre-evacuation orders including Sheep Mountain, Ohio Gulch, Travis Gulch, Davis Gulch, Blue Sky Heights, Forest Park Estates, Jackson Creek, and Lump Gulch. All pre-evacuation orders in Lewis and Clark County have been lifted. Please be advised that any evacuation order will come from local sheriff’s departments, however, anyone who is the area who feels unsafe is advised to evacuate. DNRC is asking the public to stay clear of the area, as congestion problems may impact our ability to access the area safely given the wet conditions. 

Please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6770/ [gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com] for the latest updates on the Lump Gulch Fire.

Current resources assigned to the fire:

Nine (9) engines – Three (3) for night shift Two (2) Type I Crews (Hotshots) Two (2) Type II Initial Attack crews One (1) 2-person module One (1) dozer Three (3) Type II Helicopters One (1) fixed wing aircraft

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 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has resources on Wildfire Smoke & COVID-19. Learn more here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/smoke-faq.html

Fire containment is 100%, 4,216 acres.

Fire containment is 90%, 4,216 acres. Crews made good progress today and will continue to improve, patrol, and mop up along containment lines.

Fire containment is 75%, 4,216 acres. Crews continue to construct, improve, and patrol containment lines around the fire perimeter.