Copper Creek Fire near Lincoln now 100% contained Play Video
Posted: Sep 22, 2009 4:50 PM
Updated: Sep 28, 2009 6:22 AM
The Cooper Creek Fire which has been burning since September 22nd was fully contained by crews over the weekend, and as a result, the 35 mph speed limit for traffic on highway 200 has been lifted.
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Fire Prevention Coordinator Cindy Super says 100 firefighters were on the scene on Saturday, but that the expected winds did not fuel the flames.
There is still a small amount of fire traffic in the area and the cause of the fire is still not known.
Firefighters are breathing a sigh of relief after strong winds appeared to have little effect on the Copper Creek Fire burning four miles east of Lincoln.
The fire is now 100% contained, and Fire Information Officer Cindy Super of MT DNRC said, "Obviously, the hard work fire fighters have done over the past couple days has paid off for us."
The 35-mph speed limit on Highway 200 will be lifted in the morning. Officials are asking people to use extreme caution if they're walking in the area.
Super also said that the incident management team which has been managing the Copper Creek fire will turn responsibility of the fire back to the Lincoln Unit late Saturday night.
The Copper Creek Fire started around noon on September 22, 2009. The cause is still under investigation.
(September 25, 2009)
Fire fighters plan to continue mopping up the Copper Creek Fire near Lincoln on Saturday, and say they feel confident they will be able to hold onto the fire through the strong winds forecast for today.
"We got a lot of good work done over the past couple days and I think we're ready" said Incident Commander Dave Hamilton of the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued for most of Western Montana for winds up to 50 mph and continued hot and dry conditions.
There are approximately 70 personnel currently assigned to the fire, which is still at 80% contained. One 20-person crew and two Type six engines were released from the Copper Creek on Friday so they could respond to the McDonald Pass fire.
Traffic along Montana Highway 200 has been slowed to 35 mph near the fire and people traveling in the area should be alert to slow-moving fire vehicles entering the highway.
(from September 25, 2009)
Fire fighters will continue to mop up and contain the Copper Creek fire burning near Lincoln in anticipation of strong winds forecast for Saturday. Officials estimate that the blaze is now 80% contained. "Things are looking really good but Saturday will be our big test," said Incident Commander Dave Hamilton with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
There are approximately 100 personnel are currently assigned to the fire and officials say that no additional spot fires were found on Thursday, so fire fighters should be able to get a good handle on the fire through Friday and Saturday.
The Copper Creek fire has cost approximately $171,000 to fight so far since being discovered on September 22nd. There's still no word on what sparked the blaze which has slowed traffic on Montana Highway 200 to 35 mph in the area.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
(from September 24, 2009)
Fire officials with the DNRC report that the Copper Creek Fire near Lincoln is now 60% contained. The fire has burned approximately 109 acres, and about 100 firefighting personnel are currently assigned to the fire.
"The wind we're getting today is actually a good thing," said Cindy Super, Fire Information Officer. "If there are spots out there, the wind and heat should kick them up and we'd rather find them now than later." No additional spot fires were found on Thursday.
Fire fighters from throughout the state will continue mopping up the Copper Creek Fire, which is still burning east on Lincoln.
Fire officials report that the fire has been mapped at 109 acres and is 25 % contained. An additional 20 person hand crew will arrive on Thursday to help mop up the interior of the fire while engine crews and the Deer Lodge Inmate crew will continue to do the same, as well as look for spots outside the main fire perimeter.
"We found several spots yesterday and anticipate finding a few more today" said Incident Commander Dave Hamilton of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Crews will again be assisted by a DNRC helicopter out of Helena, and continued high temperatures and possible high winds could pose a challenge for fire crews.
The DNRC's Cindy Super reports that no structures are being threatened and there are no road closures or evacuations at this time.
The Copper Creek Fire burning east of Lincoln has grown to nearly 109 acres, but according to Cynthia Super of MT DNRC, it is 25% contained.
As many as 70 firefighting personnel are actively combating the blaze. Super noted, "The fire is basically long and skinny and there appear to be several spot fires outside the main perimeter."
Fire officials remain optimistic but acknowledge that it may take some time to fully contain the fire. "This will be a 'seek and destroy' mission which may take a couple days to complete," added Super. "We need to be very thorough and make sure we look far ahead of the main fire to catch everything."
(September 23 morning update)
The Copper Creek Fire, which has so far burned roughly 80 acres near Highway 200 about 4 miles east of Lincoln, stayed quiet through the night. Fire officials say that crews will continue to try and contain the fire on Wednesday.
"Our biggest concerns are the potential spot fires, which we should be able to find today," said Incident Commander Dave Hamilton of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC).
However, law enforcement officials are on scene to control traffic along Highway 200 and people traveling in the area should be alert to slow-moving fire vehicles entering the highway.
The Copper Creek Fire started around Noon on Tuesday and officials still don't know what sparked the blaze.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
(from September 22, 2009)
A new wildfire which has cropped up near Lincoln is sending smoke into the air, seen from as far away as Helena and causing some visibility issues.
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation spokeswoman Cindy Super says the fire was reported shortly after noon on Tuesday, and is burning about four miles east of Lincoln, near the junction of Highway 200 and S-279.
Super says that at this time, there are no evacuations and Highway 200 is still open to traffic.
However, the MT Department of Transportation has reduced speeds to 35 mph along Highway 200 from milepost 77 to milepost 79, and report that driver can expect "fire vehicles, smoke, poor visibility, and should avoid this area if at all possible."
The fire is burning in grass and Lodgepole pine and is moving quickly and so far has burned approximately 80 acres.
Firefighters from the DNRC, the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department, and the US Forest Service are working to contain the fire, with help from a fire-fighting plane from Missoula and three DNRC helicopters. A hand crew from Deer Lodge and more fire engines are also en route to the scene.
Fire officials do not yet know how the blaze began.
