Rice Ridge Fire Morning Update: A community meeting will be held tonight, Aug. 28th at 6 pm at the Seeley Lake Elementary.
The Rice Ridge Fire grew nearly 5,500 acres yesterday and is now 27,863 acres. It is 22% contained with the increased containment noted by the black line on the map on the west flank. There are currently 535 personnel working the fire.
YESTERDAY: Crews completed fire line along the west flank of the fire increasing containment to 22%. Firefighters successfully completed small firing operations along the west and southwest edge of the fire that will aid in securing fire line. The fire was very active along uncontained areas to the northeast and southeast. Firefighters continued to monitor fire activity throughout the evening. Aerial resources supported ground operations with water and retardant drops early in the day. A Drone incursion shut down all air operations for the evening. Air resources had been requested by firefighters and were unable to assist in operations after the incursion. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place. Be advised, this restriction also applies to Drones (http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_7_9440.html).
TODAY: Firefighters will continue to monitor areas on the north and southwestern edges of the fire extinguishing areas of heat. Structure assessment and preparation continues and crews will also continue to monitor established hose lays. Air resources will assist firefighting operations across the fire area as needed. Firefighters are scouting and establishing additional control lines in front of the fire to the south and east. Crews continue to tie into existing roadways to establish and improve fire lines utilizing heavy equipment to cut and haul slash from control lines.
Today an upper level high pressure will continue to dominate today with another day of hot and dry conditions. Humidity is expected around 10 to 15% and terrain driven winds will average less than 10 mph.
EVACUATIONS: Approximately 1090 homes and buildings are threatened. The following evacuation order and warnings issued by the Missoula County Sheriff remain in effect: An Evacuation ORDER for the area along Forest Service Rd 17507 that runs north into North Cottonwood Canyon was issued due to an immediate fire threat near the Rice Ridge Fire; two cabins have been affected. An Evacuation WARNING was issued for residents in the Kozy Korner Meadows area. Eastern boundary starts in the 7500 block of Woodworth Road and runs west to Cottonwood Lakes Road, then north through the Rich Ranch. There are 15 homes in the warning area. This also includes the Black Canyon Ranch which is the only property located on the south side of Woodworth Road in the warning area. An evacuation WARNING issued within areas of Seeley Lake (including Double Arrow Ranch).
In the event of an evacuation order, residents will be directed to a shelter site located at the UCC Church, 405 University Avenue, Missoula MT. Residents of the area should sign up for Smart911 at https://www.smart911.com/ to ensure they receive messages about potential evacuations.
CLOSURES: A closure order in effect for the areas surrounding the Rice Ridge Fire includes the Lodge Pole and Monture Creek trails. The official closure order and map is posted on Inciweb. Big Larch Campground remains closed but the boat launch is open. Recreationists are strongly urged to keep clear of ongoing helicopter bucket operations on Seeley Lake.
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