Saddle Complex Fire Update

September 7, 2011
Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis National Forests Betsy Ballard, Public Information Officer Phone 406-349-8013 Jake Brollier, Public Information Officer office 208-756-5204 or cell 208 484-1335

Date Started: 8/10/2011 Cause: Lightning Size: 27,737 acres (13,577 on SCNF,14,160 on BNF) Percent Contained: 0% Resources: 3 Helicopters; 13 Engines; 4Crews

Total Personnel: 214 Residences: 20 threatened, 0 destroyed Commercial Property: 0 threatened; 0 destroyed Outbuildings: 10 threatened; 0 destroyed Injuries to Date: 1

Location: The Complex was comprised of two fires the Saddle and Stud Fires which merged on August 22nd into one fire which is burning on the Salmon-Challis and Bitterroot National Forests in Lemhi County, Idaho, and Ravalli County, Montana. Portions of the fire are within the Frank-Church River of No Return Wilderness. Overview: MONTANA: The Stage 1 Evacuation was lifted for all homes south of Painted Rocks Reservoir on Sunday September 4, 2011. However, if fire activity increases and causes a threat to private property, the evacuation warning could be re-instated. Weather conditions were dry and warm yesterday resulting in moderate fire activity. The fire continues to back down slope along the western perimeter but is not posing a risk at this time. Crews continue to secure Forest Road 091 in the Devils Creek area,y removing brush and fuels in case it is needing for holding the fire in the future.. Mop up continues in Woods Creek to prevent fire spread towards private land. Firefighters continue to monitor fire activity and put out hot spots that could be a threat in the future. Today, and for the next several days, the weather is expected to be similar; operations today will be similar to yesterday. Smoke is visible from fire activity from the Idaho side of the Saddle Complex and other fires in the area. The Smoke Monitoring Station near Painted Rocks Reservoir indicates moderate air quality for the last 24 hours. On-line access to real-time smoke monitoring for the local area is available at; http://www.satguard.com/USFS/aqi.asp, once on the site select real time data, location Montana. IDAHO: Fire continued to spread to the west on Saddle and East Reynolds Creek. On Horse Creek Road, firefighters continue to conduct burnouts to keep the fire north of Horse Creek Road. This is creating an additional buffer to hold the fforward advance of the fire while firefighters continue to check the south side of Horse Creek for spot fires. On the southern side, firefighters are protecting Blue Nose and Oreana Lookouts where they can do it with limited risk to their safety. In the interior of the fire, ragged edges of green islands burned actively as small clumps of isolated torching of trees and short range spotting. Closures and Restrictions: The previously reported area closures are still in effect on both the Bitterroot and Salmon-Challis National Forests; and will remain until access is safe for the public and firefighters. For additional information on the closure areas, as well as the entire Saddle Complex, visit www.inciweb.org/incident/2496, or contact the West Fork Ranger District (Bitterroot NF) at 406-821-3269 or North Fork Ranger District (Salmon-Challis NF) at 208-865-2700.