The fire has burned 27,566 acres
Continue readingUpdate on Montana fires, Robertson Draw and Deep Creek
1:56 p.m. MDT June 17, 2021
Robertson Draw Fire
The fire spread to the north and south Wednesday, but not as much as in previous days. It was mapped overnight at 24,271 acres, a 24-hour increase of about 4,000 acres.
From the Incident Management Team Thursday morning:
“[Wednesday], moderated weather conditions allowed fire crews to work on the northeastern, eastern, and southeastern sides of the fire. Crews and equipment worked to tie in dozer lines to burned areas that had cooled down in the rangeland grass areas. Air tanker water and retardant drops were conducted along the northwest side of Mt. Maurice to check fire spread. Aircraft were also used on the south side to check fire spread. The fire remained active along portions of the northern edge and in the timbered areas south of Mt. Maurice. Additional firefighting crews and equipment arrived and Operations personnel from the incoming [Type 2 Incident Management] team worked closely with the local firefighters to increase their situational awareness and start developing firefighting plans for the next several days.
“Evacuation Orders are in effect for the areas of North and South Grove Creek, Gold Creek, Ruby Creek, and Robertson Draw east to Highway 72. Evacuations as a part of the Forest Closure Order include the USDA Forest Service Recreation Residences in Corral Creek, Spring Creek, Snow Creek, and Sheep Creek.”
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Robertson Draw Fire, including the most current, click HERE.
Resources working on the fire Wednesday night included 4 hand crews, 17 engines, and 5 helicopters for a total of 162 personnel. At least 18 structures have been destroyed.
We have a series of photos of the fire taken over a three-day period from the same location. Check them out.
Deep Creek Fire
The Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team #1 assumed command of the fire at 6 a.m. Thursday.
The IMT reported Thursday at noon on InciWeb that the fire had burned 3,668 acres, but it is likely that the actual size is about 1,000 acres larger.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Deep Creek Fire, including the most current, click HERE.
The diminished fire intensity Wednesday allowed crews to reengage with a dozer, skidgens, and a hand crew on the southwest section of the fire. The plan for Thursday is to continue direct fire line construction on the southwest corner of the fire moving along the fire’s perimeter to the north while continuing to identify and work on spot fires to the north from Tuesday’s wind event.
The Grassy Mountain subdivision is still under an evacuation order.
Resources working on the fire Wednesday night included 1 hand crew, 6 engines, and 4 helicopters for a total of 94 personnel. There is no report of any structures that have been destroyed.
Fire Aviation reported that a helicopter working on the Deep Creek Fire crashed and burned June 15. There were five on board and all reportedly exited the aircraft before it ignited. They were assisted by a trooper from the Highway Patrol, Amanda Villa who was very close by when the crash, first described by the Montana DNRC as a “hard landing”, occurred. There were injuries, but no details have been released.
Robertson Draw Fire — three days of photos
These photos of the Robertson Draw Fire were taken from Red Lodge, Montana over a three-day period, June 15 through 17, by @MontanaRoots.
Their Twitter profile:
Montana born & raised, Navy submarine officer vet, MSU Bobcat. Probably out hiking or heading down some backroad. Amateur photographer.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Robertson Draw Fire, including the most current, click HERE.
The photos are looking toward Mount Maurice.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Robertson Draw Fire, including the most current, click HERE.
Robertson Draw Fire ran for 9 miles Tuesday south of Red Lodge, MT
Evacuation orders are in effect
Continue readingRobertson Draw Fire in Southern Montana prompts evacuations
Update at 7:44 p.m. MDT June 15, 2021
The satellite photo taken by GOES 16 at 7:41 p.m. MDT June 15 shows an enormous smoke plume from the Robertson Draw Fire spreading to the northeast. It is heading directly to Billings, the lights from which can be seen through the smoke.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Robertson Draw Fire, including the most recent, click HERE.
5:13 p.m. MDT June 15, 2021
The Robertson Draw Fire 9 miles south of Red Lodge, Montana is burning vigorously Tuesday afternoon, producing a very large smoke column easily seen on satellite photos.
Tuesday morning firefighters estimated the size at 2,000 acres but that number could be very different by the time the sun sets.
The fire is in south-central Montana one mile north of the MT/WY state line, and five miles east of the famous switchbacks on the Beartooth Highway, US 212.
Evacuations and evacuation warnings are in place for multiple areas near the fire. Firefighters expected a critical fire weather day on Tuesday with Red Flag Warnings in effect due to the hot, dry, and windy weather conditions. According to the Type 3 Incident Management Team, the Gold and Ruby Creek areas were re-evacuated Tuesday morning.
The fire ranges from 7,000′ above sea level up to 9,300′.
About 80 firefighters are working to suppress the fire. Resources include hand crews, engines, helicopters, a rappel crew, and support personnel. Air tankers are assisting firefighters as needed and available. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered.
Another fire in Montana, the Deep Creek Fire, is 128 miles northwest of the Robertson Draw Fire, and 40 miles southeast of Helena. It is also burning vigorously, east of Townsend on both sides of US 12. This first photo shows what it looked like on June 13.
#DeepCreekFire update: We are in unified command with Montana DNRC and a Type 1 team has been ordered. Highway 12 is closed east of Townsend. Please avoid the Deep Creek Canyon area. pic.twitter.com/AQ0OHcw9kg
— Helena-Lewis&ClarkNF (@LewisandClarkNF) June 15, 2021
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Deep Creek Fire, including the most current, click HERE.