Rice Ridge Fire Thursday Morning Update

Rice Ridge Fire Morning Update: A public meeting will be held tonight, at 6pm at the Seeley Lake Elementary School. The Rice Ridge Fire grew near 1,000 acres yesterday, with most of the growth to the east into the Blind Canyon and Swamp Creek Area. It is now 10,194 acres and 10% contained. There are 554 Firefighters: 11 crews, 36 engines, 3 helicopters, 2 dozers, 17 water tenders and overhead personnel assigned to the fire. The night photo was taken last night, Aug. 9 from the Seeley Lake Historical Museum and Visitors Center.

YESTERDAY: Crews and heavy equipment continued fuels reduction work to the south along Cottonwood Lakes Road, which will serve as indirect containment line. Two heavy helicopters dropped water in the Swamp Creek to slow the fire from spreading southward. The fire burned across the FR-720 in the Rice Creek drainage. Due to safety concerns, including heavy fuel loading, difficult terrain and an abundance of standing dead trees, fire managers will not utilize this road as a control line. The fire continues to grow eastward toward the Bob Marshall Wilderness in steep, inaccessible terrain posing minimal threat to life or property.

TODAY: In order to secure the southern flank and protect the Double Arrow community, fire managers have identified an opportunity to construct fireline from Morrell Mountain down a ridge to Cottonwood Lakes Road. Helicopters will be utilized to check fire spread as conditions allow. Crews and equipment will build fireline from Seeley Creek Road to Camp Creek Road, between Highway 83 and FR-720. This line will be routed to the northeast and tie into the 2015 Morrell Complex burn scar where fuels are sparse. The east flank will be monitored by aircraft as it continues to spread toward the Wilderness.

Temps will be in the upper 80s today with relative humidity in the teens. Winds will be light and variable. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Fire activity is anticipated to be similar to yesterday with fire growth along the northern and eastern flank. As expected, the fire will be producing multiple smoke columns and more visible throughout the area.

For the Seeley Lake area, expect continued heavy smoke conditions reaching Hazardous levels this morning and tonight. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion.

Fire information booths will be staffed at the Valley Market and Rovero's Hardware Store on Highway 83 from 10am to 5pm.

Residents of the area should sign up for Smart911 at http://www.smart911.com to ensure they receive any emergency messages about potential evacuations.

In the event of an evacuation, the American Red Cross will open a shelter. It is located at the Potomac Community Center, 29827 Potomac Rd., in Potomac. The shelter is on standby, anyone seeking to pre-evacuate that requires assistance or sheltering may call the Red Cross of Montana at 1-800-272-6668. Evacuees are urged to call before leaving for the shelter, as cell phone service is limited at the shelter. More info at http://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.

ADVISORIES: As a reminder, the evacuation warning issued to residents urges them to be prepared. The warning is still in effect south of Rice Ridge Road to Double Arrow Road (including Double Arrow Ranch) on the east side of Highway 83. No actual evacuations have been ordered. Residents adjacent to these areas should remain vigilant.

Stage II Fire Restrictions are in place.

Crews, engines and heavy equipment use public roads traveling to and from their daily assignments. Residents are urged to slow down and be aware while driving through the area to ensure everyone's safety.

CLOSURES: A closure order is still in effect for the areas surrounding the Rice Ridge Fire. A map and copies of the official closure orders are available on Inciweb. Seeley Lake, the body of water, is still closed to all recreation activities due to aircraft scooping water and will be in effect through the weekend.

The temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire remains in effect. This restriction applies to drones as well. For more information: http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_5270.html