Two wildfires burning near Eureka
Camp 32 Fire 30% contained, new Gibralter Ridge Fire started Tuesday
August 10, 2005
The Camp 32 Fire, burning south of Eureka, Montana, was declared 30% contained at 5 pm Tuesday, August 9th. Firefighters were performing mop up on hot spots and no more movement or spread of the fire outside the perimeter is expected, according to Terry Knupp, Fire Information Officer for Bennett’s Northern Rockies Incident Management Team working in Eureka with Kootenai National Forest fire managers.
"Firefighters had a successful day mopping-up hot spots and there was no growth in the fire perimeter," said Fire Behaviour Analyst, Ed Lieser.
As of Tuesday, August 9th, the Camp 32 Fire was 868 acres and had two Type I crews, four Type 2 crews, three helicopters, 18 engines, 6 dozers and 7 water tenders working the blaze. A total of 271 personnel were working this fire.
Complete containment of the Camp 32 Fire is expected by Thursday, August 11th. Fire managers expected to allow evacuated residents to return to their homes after 8 pm on Wednesday, August 10.
Fire danger is currently Very High on the Kootenai National Forest and Stage I fire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are permitted only in developed campground areas.
New Fire east of Eureka
A new fire start was reported late Tuesday afternoon on the Fortine Ranger District east of Eureka. The Gibralter Ridge Fire was estimated at 10 acres at 8 pm. Ten smokejumpers were dropped on the fire and three Fortine Ranger District firefighters hiked to the fire Tuesday evening. At 4:30 am the two hotshot crews assigned to Camp 32 fire were sent to hike into and assist on Gibralter Ridge Fire.
Community Morning Briefings Scheduled
A community briefing will be held at 9 am each morning at the Lincoln County High School Commons Meeting Room. Officials from cooperating agencies including Lincoln County, Red Cross, Can Am Search and Rescue as well as the Forest Service and Incident Management Team will provide the most up-to-date information possible to interested citizens. Other cooperating and assisting agencies include the Montana State DES and Border Patrol.
|
