Fire size: 7,496 acres
Containment: 78%
Resources assigned:
• 160 personnel
• 7 engines
• 2 helicopters
• 2 Type 2
Handcrews
• 1 fire suppression module
Management:
Incident Commander
Gabe Holguin, Type 3 Incident Management Organization
As firefighters continued to mop up and patrol contained lines on the
Goose Fire today, others scouted potential containment opportunities and
planned strategies to deal with the fire’s resistant west flank. The Goose Fire,
which remains 78% contained, grew only 25 acres yesterday, to 7,496 acres.
A stubborn section of heat on the Goose Fire’s west flank is posing a challenge to
firefighters due to its location in the steep, remote Meridian Creek canyon. While
the fire is not growing rapidly, the rocky terrain makes it unsafe for handcrews to
make a direct attack. Helicopter bucket-drops are being used to check the fire’s
slow progression in the area, buying time for Incident Commander Gabe Holguin
and his staff to develop a plan for full containment. Contingency lines have been
prepared along roads and trails should fire behavior change.
Unstable, shifting weather is predicted today, with rising humidity, increased
winds, and a potential for afternoon thunderstorms. Weather from Wednesday
through Sunday should help firefighters, as monsoonal moisture predominates
across the Goose Fire. This pattern will bring cooler temperatures, lighter winds,
and higher humidity, along with a significant chance of wetting rains.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest area closures and a temporary flight
restriction remain in effect to protect public and firefighter safety during the
Goose Fire. Stage 2 fire restrictions are also in place, prohibiting campfires and the
use of stove fires and charcoal grills. Closure details are posted on the BDNF
website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices and fire
restrictions are available at http://www.mtfireinfo.org.
The forest is continually re-evaluating area closures based upon fire behavior,
weather, and their proximity to burned areas. Closures will be lifted as soon as an
area can be made safe for public access. Among other issues, fire-weakened trees
pose a significant safety hazard which must be mitigated before an area can be
reopened to the public.
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