Bean Canyon Fire In Gallatin County

UPDATE 9/13/12

11AM

NUMBER OF ACRES: 4,321

CONTAINMENT: 25%

CAUSE: Lightning

LOCATION: About 9 miles east of Toston in Gallatin County on private and state land.

STRUCTURES THREATENED: None

FUEL TYPE & TOPOGRAPHY: Grass, timber, and brush in steep terrain

JURISDICTION: Gallatin County

CURRENT SITUATION:
Crews completed burn out operations on the east side of the fire which resulted in strengthening the containment line from the fire to dozer line yesterday in the Short Gulch area. Crews were also successful in strengthening fire line on the northeast corner of the fire. The southern end of the fire was again the most active and firefighting efforts continue to be challenged by the steep terrain. Helicopters supported crews on the ground with bucket drops on the east and southern parts of the fire.

ACTIONS PLANNED:
Most of the resources will be concentrating on the south end and east side of the fire today where building and strengthening line is the priority. Crews may need to burn out fuels from the fire to the dozer line on the west side of the fire to strengthen the line. On the east side of the fire, crews will burn some interior pockets of fuel that could threaten the line if left unburned. Smoke will be visible during burn out and interior burning operations. Crews will continue to mop up on all sides of the fire where terrain permits safe operations.

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UPDATE 9/12/12:

NUMBER OF ACRES: 3,600

CONTAINMENT: 10%

CAUSE: Lightning

LOCATION: About 9 miles east of Toston in Gallatin County on private and state land.

STRUCTURES THREATENED: Historical cabins

FUEL TYPE & TOPOGRAPHY: Grass, timber, and brush in steep terrain

CURRENT SITUATION:
Winds out of the northwest of 8-12 mph pushed the Bean Canyon Fire mainly to the east yesterday. Crews continued to work on securing line with the most success on the north end of the fire. Dozer lines were constructed on the west and east sides using old logging roads near the perimeter of the fire. Helicopters were used to cool hot spots along the Sixteen Mile Road and the east and south sides of the fire. An air tanker was also used to drop retardant on the southeast corner of the fire.
Predicted weather on the fire today is for slightly cooler temperatures of 55-60, relative humidity of 11-15% and winds out of the northwest at 5-10 mph. This predicted weather could cause more growth on the east and south sides of the fire today.

ACTIONS PLANNED:
Firefighters will continue to construct dozer line using old logging roads and hold and secure existing fire line. Crews may burn out from the fire to dozer lines to strengthen containment lines.

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9/11/12

The Bean Canyon Fire, burning about 9 miles east of Toston in Gallatin County, is now estimated at 3,000 acres.

The fire is burning on private and State land and was reported on September 10, 2012 at about 1:15 PM. Authorities have confirmed it was caused by lightning.

County, State, and Federal firefighters worked on the fire throughout the night and more resources have joined the firefighting efforts today.

The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is providing County Assist to Gallatin County and the fire is currently being managed by a Type 3 Organization with approximately 100 personnel assigned for today’s operations.

The current resources assigned to the fire include:

• 8 Engines
• 2 Dozers
• 1 Skidgine
• 6 Tenders
• 2 Helicopters
• 3 Fixed Wing Aircraft