Saddle Mountain Fire holds steady Play Video
Posted: Sep 23, 2009 5:31 PM
Updated: Sep 29, 2009 1:52 PM
The Saddle Mountain Fire burning west of Arlee is holding steady at 471 total acres burned.
Fire Information Officer Rich Jassen says that all non-agency personnel have been moved off the fire while the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire Personnel and equipment remain dispatched to Saddle Mountain.
The fire is now estimated to be 80% contained as crews continue to build fire line and continue mop up operations within 150 feet of the fire perimeter. Helicopters have continued to drop water on numerous "hot spots" located within the fire perimeter.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
(from September 28, 2009)
The Saddle Mountain Fire burning near Arlee has grown to 471 acres after Saturday's 18 mph winds caused a six acre spot fire next to the main fire perimeter. Helicopters dropping water quickly contained the spot as fire personnel lined the slop over.
There are currently, six, 20-person crews on scene after three crews were demobilized over the weekend. The Chief Mountain Hot Shots" and one crew each from the Crow and Blackfeet reservation were released from the blaze.
A pair of helicopters, two single engine air tankers, two bull-dozers, two-skid genes, five water tenders, and numerous fire engines from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai are still dispatched to Saddle Mountain.
Fire officials report that the fire is now partially lined and that containment is estimated at 30%. Crews continued to construct fire lines on Sunday and will begin mop up operations within 100 feet of the fire perimeter. Helicopters are expected to drop water on numerous hot spots located within the fire perimeter on Monday.
(from September 25, 2009)
Additional firefighters from other Montana Indian reservations joined crews working on the Saddle Mountain Fire on Friday.
Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe Fire Information Officer Rich Jensen says the fire burning west of Arlee is measured at 465 acres and is 20% contained.
Jensen says the fire is believed to be caused by arson because it started near slash piles on Wednesday morning.
He added that five 20 person crews from the Flathead Indian Reservation, along with the new crew members, will continue building a line around the fire.
The Saddle Mountain Fire burning west of Arlee is sitting at 465 acres with about 180 firefighters are battling the blaze, which officials believe was caused by arson.
The fire has reached heavy thick timber in what's described as moderate to steep terrain with numerous rock outcrops and cliffy areas. Officials say that due to the terrain, firefighter safety is their top concern.
There are nine 20-person crews, two helicopters, two single engine air tankers, two bulldozers, two-skid genes, two water tenders, and numerous fire engines from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and local volunteer fire departments dispatched to Saddle Mountain.
The fire is now partially lined and a large burnout operation was conducted overnight with CSKT officials saying that containment is estimated at 20%.
Drivers are being urged to use caution while traveling on U.S. Highway 93 in Arlee due to increased fire activity and smoke along the roadway.
Additional firefighters from other Montana Indian reservations are set to join crews who are working on the Saddle Mountain Fire on Friday.
Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe Fire Information officer Rich Jensen says the fire burning west of Arlee is now measured at 465 acres and is 20% contained.
He says five 20 person crews from the Flathead Indian Reservation along with the new crew members will continue building a line around the fire.
Jensen added that the fire is believed to have been caused by arson because it started near slash piles Wednesday morning.
(from September 24, 2009)
The Saddle Mountain fire burning west of Arlee is 20% contained Thursday night and Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe Fire Information Officer Rich Jensen says the fire is now burning 465 acres.
Jensen added the fire is believed to be arson because it started near some slash piles Wednesday morning.
He said five 20 person crews from the Flathead Indian Reservation are working on building a line around the fire.
Four more crews from other Montana Indian reservations who arrived Thursday evening will join in the fire fight on Friday.
- Melissa Rafferty reporting from KPAX in Missoula.
Fire officials working on the Saddle Mountain fire burning west of Arlee suspect arson. They say the blaze started near some slash piles in low elevation Wednesday morning.
Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe Fire Information officer Rich Jensen says the fire is holding to around 300 acres. But he did say that the heavy smoke is preventing them from getting an accurate reading on the size of the fire.
The fire has now reached heavy thick timber consisting of ponderosa pine, Douglas fire and western Larch. But, no structures are threatened at this time.
There are three 20-person crews, several helicopters and air tankers and numerous fire engines from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and local volunteer fire departments working on the blaze.
Fire officials say that the Saddle Mountain Fire, which is burning west of Arlee, has grown to about 300 acres.
A press release issued Thursday morning says that the "fire's origin is suspected arson and is currently under investigation".
The fire started near some slash piles in low elevation and has now reached heavy thick timber consisting of ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and western larch.
There are three 20-person crews, two helicopters, two single engine air tankers, two bulldozers, two skid genes, and numerous fire engines from the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and local volunteer fire departments working on the blaze.
A Type I Hotshot crew has been ordered and four Type 2 crews have also been requested as have two more water tenders, and a food caterer.
- Mark Thorsell reporting from KPAX in Missoula
Fire crews worked through Wednesday night in an effort to get a handle on the Saddle Mountain Fire which is burning west of Arlee.
A lookout crew spotted the blaze on Wednesday morning and officials say the blaze grew rapidly late in the afternoon, with smoke visible from Missoula.
At last check, it burned over 100 acres and is moving quickly in heavy fuels and grass near Honey Bee Road.
Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe Fire Prevention Specialist Curtiss Matt says no structures are threatened, but added that fire officials have been going door-to-door to give residents living in the Valley Creek community updates on the fire.
Matt said the fire looks "suspicious" at this point and added that fire crews from the Flathead Indian Reservation are working to quickly to tray and contain the blaze.
(from September 23, 2009)
Fire crews will work through the night to get a handle on the newest fire which is burning west of Arlee.
A lookout crew spotted the Saddle Mountain Fire Wednesday morning and it grew rapidly late in the afternoon, with smoke visible from Missoula.
The blaze has burned over 100 acres so far and is moving rapidly in heavy fuels and grass near Honey Bee Road area.
Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe Fire Prevention Specialist Curtiss Matt says no structures are threatened at this time and says the fire is suspicious.
But, Matt says they are notifying residents in the Valley Creek community door to door to keep them up to date on the fire. He also warns folks to be careful since fire season isn't over yet.
"It's still dry and it's still fire season. We're starting to pickup a lot of fires and this indicative of what's happening right now. We caution they be careful with fires."
Fire crews from the Flathead Indian Reservation will work through the night in an effort to contain the fire.
- Breanna Roy reporting from KPAX in Missoula
People who were traveling west in the Missoula area Wednesday afternoon probably noticed a large plume of smoke billowing near Arlee.
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Dispatch tells us this is the "Saddle Mountain Fire" and it's burning just north of Arlee.
Dispatcher Jack Currie says the fire is burning near Honey Bee Road. He says so far it's burned about 75 acres.
Currie says a lookout spotted the fire Wednesday afternoon. He says no homes are being threatened at this time and the fire is human-caused.
Dispatch is asking people to stay out of the Honey Bee Road area.
