Thursday Report On Bear Trap And Pony Fires [Update]

The fireworks caused Bear Trap fire, burning in Madison Canyon, has grown to almost 15,000 acres. 

[UPDATE 1:30pm 6/28/12] Hwy 84 will be closed temporarily for approximately two hours

[9:33am 6/28/12]

Location: 20 miles northeast of Ennis, MT along the Madison River.

Current Size: Approximately 14,770 Containment: 12%

Resources Assigned: 2 20-person crews, 1 Type 1 Hotshot Crew, 2 Helicopters, 6 Engines, 2 Dozers

Closures: Norris Road (MT Hwy 84) is currently open from Blacks Ford to Norris. Potential burnout of unburned fuel along Hwy 84 may cause temporary road closures between mid-day and mid-afternoon. A notification will be sent out. Restrictions on Madison River Road are lifted and travel is allowed. Recreation facilities in the Bear Trap Canyon corridor along the Madison River remain closed. Firefighting resources are working hard to make the Madison River corridor safe for public use. Floaters and anglers are urged to make plans to use other areas through July 9. Access to the Madison River is closed on all BLM land within the Lower Madison River Special Recreation Management Area.

Current Status: A Type 2 Incident Management Team under the direction of Incident Commander Stan Benes took over management of the fire on Wednesday. The fire burned actively on Wednesday and dozers were used effectively in some areas for line construction. Helicopters on loan from a neighboring incident were used to check fire spread and protect structures. A night shift worked Wednesday night to protect structures and patrol and mop up along Highway 84. The fire is most active on south and west flanks.

Planned Actions: Fire personnel will continue to scout and construct fireline through all divisions. Most resources will be focused on the west and south flanks where the potential for growth is greatest. Dozers and engines will be used to secure and strengthen fireline.

Weather: A high pressure system will continue over the fire vicinity Thursday with continued hot and dry conditions reaching between 84-89 degrees with low humidity. Expect southwest winds 5-10 mph..

Remarks: 3 structures confirmed lost, evacuation warnings are in effect for Blacks Ford south to Norris, within Madison County. Gallatin County pre-evacuation notifications are in effect for Blacks Ford north into Gallatin County. No injuries reported.

Source:  Gallatin Media Center

[6:08 am 6/28/12] 2 structures have burned.

Highway 84 is open from Blacks Ford to Norris, but conditions are smoky, there are emergency vehicles on the road, and the speed limit is 35 mph.

The Pony fire is now at 6400 acres.

Some Mammoth residents have been escorted in and out of the fire area to get their valuables, but the evacuation order is still in effect.

Source:  Inciweb