Fire Update: August 11, 2018
Goldstone Fire, Beaverhead-Deer Lodge and Salmon Challis National Forests
The lightning caused Goldstone Fire detected on August 2, and is approximately 510 acres. The fire is burning in a high elevation basin near Goldstone Pass, located approximately five miles west of Reservoir Lake or twelve miles south of Jackson MT in the Park Creek drainage in the Bitterroot Mountains, on the Montana and Idaho state border. The fire is in steep mountainous terrain and is burning in heavy mixed conifer fuels (sub-alpine fir, Engleman Spruce, lodgepole pine) with very heavy concentrations of standing dead trees (snags).This fire is being managed for full suppression. The fire is 0% contained. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. For more information on TFR’s go online to http://tfr.faa.gov
The fire has burned south crossing the Continental Divide into Idaho. Approximately 25 acres of the fire are in Idaho on the Salmon Challis National Forest. The Salmon Challis National Forest is assisting with firefighting efforts. One hotshot crew (Mormon Lake Hotshots), 2 engines, 2 helicopters (a light and a medium) 1 dozer, 1 water tender, 1 skidder, 1 fellerbuncher and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 59 resources working on the fire.
Today’s plans are to continue to build line, deal with spot fires and try to contain the fire where it crossed the Idaho state line, continue to hold the fire and mop up near the CDT and complete a clipper line on FS road 7402. Due to the hot, dry and windy weather that is predicted over the next few days, fire behavior is expected to increase. A cold front is expected today with high heat, low humidity, and gusty winds with unstable air and isolated dry thunderstorms. If predicted westerly winds develop it could cause significant fire spread east towards the Park Creek drainage
Closure Order #2017-D1-010 closing roads trails and fire area is in effect. This order closes a section of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) starting at Lemhi Pass and continuing north to Jahnke Mine. The Reservoir Lake Campground and the Bloody Dick Cabin are also closed. A temporary re-route of the CDT advises hikers are to travel east from Lemhi Pass to the Lewis and Clark Trail/Road then travel north on a series of roads through the Selway and Saginaw drainages connecting back to the CDT on FS road 7325 also known as the Berry Meadows Road. For more information contact the Dillon District (406) 683-3900.
The Reservoir Lake Campground and the Bloody Dick Cabin are closed along with roads and trails in the nearby area.
Additional Information:
Fire Weather: A RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT TONIGHT
Idaho: A few morning showers and thunderstorms are possible in north central Idaho ahead of an approaching cold front. Today will be a critical fire weather day as a combination of strong winds from a dry cold front and low relative humidity will impact central Idaho. Expect southwesterly winds to increase this afternoon. The cold front is expected to move through between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. Expect cooler temperatures Sunday with some higher humidity and some afternoon breezy conditions on the ridges. Montana: Expect some scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms this morning across northwest Montana ahead of an approaching dry cold front. This front will pass through western Montana today producing critical fire weather conditions due to strong and shifting winds and low relative humidity. Scattered mainly dry thunderstorms are expected to develop later this afternoon and evening across the part of the southern Bitterroots and Beaverhead/Deer Lodge National Forests. Breezy west winds are expected Sunday afternoon.
