Hog Trough Fire Update
Hog Trough Fire July 21, 2022 Update
Acres: 500 acres (based on infrared flight) Start Date: July 17th, 2022 Cause: Lightning Origin Location: 17 mi east of Hamilton Jurisdiction: Bitterroot National Forest and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Fire Information: 406-880-8090 Incident Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/8258/69793/
Summary: The Western Montana All Hazard Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing the Hog Trough Fire as of July 21 st . Yesterday the fire grew by approximately 237 and is now at 500 acres. It is burning in the Sapphire Wilderness Study Area (WSA) on both the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. People within the Bitterroot Valley may continue to see smoke from this fire. No structures currently threatened and no evacuations in place. Area and trail closures are in effect; however, no roads are closed at this time.
Terrain: The fire’s location is in extremely remote, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. Heavy deadfall is present with dead standing trees (snags), downed timber and short grass (1 foot tall). Due to the significant safety threats and inaccessibility, firefighters are not directly engaging the fire on the ground currently. Fire manager’s top priority is ensuring firefighter and public safety.
Fire Activity: Hog Trough Fire is experiencing moderate fire behavior and is continuing to progress towards the east in the direction of the 2005 Signal Rock Fire and the 5071 Road. Single and group tree torching has been observed. The fire is running parallel with the wind and there are areas where the fire is terrain driven making short, uphill runs. Fire activity may increase over the next 12 hours.
Planned Actions: A Type 1 helicopter is arriving today to provide water drops on the east end of the fire and slow down the fire’s progression. Fire manager’s objective is to keep the fire to the south of Highway 38 and east of USFS Road 75. Ground crews will be thinning along the 5071 Road on the eastern edge of the fire. This will provide a safe location for firefighters to implement direct suppression strategies.
Weather: Temperatures will be in the 70s to low 80s in the fire area with afternoon winds between 12 and 17 mph with gusts up to 25 MPH. Minimum relative humidity values will be between 11 and 16 percent. A fire weather watch is forecasted Friday afternoon through Friday evening.
Closures: See Inciweb for Closure Map. No road closures are in effect at this time. Railroad Creek, National Forest System Trail #77 to Trail#313 at the gate. Weasel Creek, National Forest System Trail #156 from milepost 0.00 at its junction with NFSR #461. A section of the Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail #313, National Forest System Trail #313 where it intersects Trail #77 Railroad Creek, Weasel Creek Trail #156. Skalkaho Creek -Jerry Lake Trail #503, National Forest System Trail #503 Fire Danger:
Fire Danger is currently “high” on the Bitterroot National Forest. When fire danger is “high,” fires will start from most causes. The fires will spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common. All fine dead fuels ignite readily and unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape.
2022 Fire Season: This year, firefighters on the Bitterroot National Forest have extinguished 6 human-caused fires and 17 lightning fires.
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